1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Colon Cancer

Colonoscope

by Donna Myers
for About.com

Updated: September 15, 2006

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Definition:

A colonoscope is a thin, flexible tube that takes pictures of the colon and rectum during a colonoscopy. It's inserted into the anus and then threaded through the rectum to the end of the colon.

A colonoscope allows you to see the inside of your colon and rectum on a video monitor in real time. It also has the ability to snip off polyps and tissue samples.

Sources:
  1. Colonoscope. Biology Online. 15 Sep. 2006 [http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Colonoscope].
  2. Colonoscope. Encarta. 15 Sep. 2006 [http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861670667/colonoscope.html].
  3. Definition of Colonoscope. MedicineNet. 15 Sep. 2006 [http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=2791].
Pronunciation: co-LAWN-uh-scope
Explore Colon Cancer
About.com Special Features

Learn how you can reduce your your numbers with these nutrition and exercise tips. More >

Keep yourself, and your family, happy and healthy this fall with these tips. More >

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Colon Cancer
  4. Basics
  5. Medical Glossary
  6. Colonoscope - Definition of Colonoscopye

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.