Definition

1. Noun:
   • A medical procedure that involves the visual examination of the sigmoid colon and the rectum using a flexible, lighted tube called a sigmoidoscope. It is primarily performed to screen for or diagnose abnormalities such as polyps, inflammation, or cancer in the lower part of the large intestine.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The doctor recommended a sigmoidoscopy to investigate the cause of the patient's rectal bleeding.
  • A routine sigmoidoscopy can help detect colorectal cancer at an early, treatable stage.
  • During the sigmoidoscopy, a small polyp was found and removed.

Advanced Usage

• "to undergo a sigmoidoscopy": to have the procedure performed on oneself.
  • Patients over 50 are often advised to undergo a sigmoidoscopy every five years.
• "sigmoidoscopy findings": the results or observations made during the procedure.
  • The sigmoidoscopy findings were normal, showing no signs of disease.

Variants and Related Words

• Sigmoidoscope (n): The instrument used to perform a sigmoidoscopy.
  • The sigmoidoscope is inserted into the rectum to allow the doctor to see the intestinal lining.
• Colonoscopy (n): A similar but more extensive procedure that examines the entire colon.
  • A colonoscopy provides a more complete view of the large intestine than a sigmoidoscopy.

Synonyms

• Lower endoscopy: A general term for endoscopic examination of the lower gastrointestinal tract.
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy: The full, precise name for the common type of this procedure.

Related Phrases

• Screening sigmoidoscopy: A sigmoidoscopy performed as a preventive health check in individuals without symptoms.
  • Screening sigmoidoscopy is a common tool for colorectal cancer prevention.
• Diagnostic sigmoidoscopy: A sigmoidoscopy performed to investigate specific symptoms like pain or bleeding.
  • He had a diagnostic sigmoidoscopy to determine the cause of his persistent abdominal discomfort.

Noun

1. visual examination (with a sigmoidoscope) of the lower third of the colon in a search for polyps