Etymed
sigmoidoscopy
Definition
Medical examination of the sigmoid colon using a sigmoidoscope
Clinical context
A 55-year-old man presents with chronic rectal bleeding and alternating diarrhea and constipation over several months. His primary care physician recommends sigmoidoscopy to evaluate for possible diverticulosis or inflammatory bowel disease. During the procedure, the physician notes multiple diverticula in the sigmoid colon with mild erythema but no active bleeding.
Mnemonic
SIGMOID - Sigmoid Colon, Inspect, Go Down to Colon