A cervical tenaculum is provided having an applicator member with a longitudinal lumen and a tubular member dimensioned to reciprocate within the lumen. The applicator and tubular members are first connected one to the other by engaging protrusions extending from the distal end of the tubular member with matching grooves inside the lumen. After positioning the applicator member in the cervical os of a patient, the protrusions are disengaged from the grooves, and the tubular member is disconnected from the applicator member and removed from the patient. The applicator member instead remains positioned in the cervical os and provides access to the uterine cavity by a clinician. In different embodiments, the applicator member is frustoconical in shape and has one or more ridges disposed on its outer surface, and a control arm is connected to the applicator member for accurate positioning into the cervical os.