sigmoidoscopy
Lower bowel exam
Sigmoidoscopy is a medical procedure in which a flexible tube with a camera is inserted through the rectum to examine the sigmoid colon—the S-shaped lower portion of the large intestine.
It screens for polyps, cancer, and other abnormalities.
Less invasive than a full colonoscopy, it examines only the lower colon: The doctor recommended a sigmoidoscopy after the patient reported rectal bleeding.
Tissue sample for diagnosis
- polypsFixed aquatic invertebrates
- adenomaBenign epithelial tumor
- precancerousAbnormal, may become malignant
- lesionsAreas of damaged tissue
inflammation · ulcerative colitis · Crohn's disease · diverticulosis · rectal bleeding · colon cancer · mucosa · pathology
Able to bend freely
- sedationDrug-induced calm state
- lubricantFriction-reducing substance
- insufflationBlowing into body cavity
- visualizationForming mental or graphical images
laxative · enema · insertion · rectum · withdrawal · outpatient · examination table · gown
Meant to stop trouble
- early detectionFinding something at onset
- colon cancerMalignant growth in large intestine
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- polypsFixed aquatic invertebrates
precancerous · routine · asymptomatic · risk assessment · guidelines · age-related · follow-up · interval
Involuntary muscle contraction
- pressureForce upon contact
- bloatingSwollen, expanded state
- gasFormless, expanding substance
- urgencyPressing need for action
embarrassment · anxiety · tenderness · soreness · brief · tolerable · relaxation · breathing techniques
biopsy
Tissue sample for diagnosis
- polypsFixed aquatic invertebrates
- adenomaBenign epithelial tumor
- precancerousAbnormal, may become malignant
lesions · inflammation · ulcerative colitis · Crohn's disease · diverticulosis · rectal bleeding · colon cancer · mucosa · pathology · histology
flexible
Able to bend freely
- sedationDrug-induced calm state
- lubricantFriction-reducing substance
- insufflationBlowing into body cavity
visualization · laxative · enema · insertion · rectum · withdrawal · outpatient · examination table · gown · consent form
preventive
Meant to stop trouble
- early detectionFinding something at onset
- colon cancerMalignant growth in large intestine
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
polyps · precancerous · routine · asymptomatic · risk assessment · guidelines · age-related · follow-up · interval · recommendation
cramping
Involuntary muscle contraction
urgency · embarrassment · anxiety · tenderness · soreness · brief · tolerable · relaxation · breathing techniques · positioning