Colonoscopy vs. Sigmoidoscopy — What's the Difference?

Colonoscopy () or coloscopy () is the endoscopic examination of the large bowel and the distal part of the small bowel with a CCD camera or a fiber optic camera on a flexible tube passed through the anus. It can provide a visual diagnosis (e.g., ulceration, polyps) and grants the opportunity for biopsy or removal of suspected colorectal cancer lesions.

Sigmoidoscopy (from the Greek term for letter "s/ς" + "eidos" + "scopy": namely, to look inside an "s"/"ς"-like object) is the minimally invasive medical examination of the large intestine from the rectum through the nearest part of the colon, the sigmoid colon. There are two types of sigmoidoscopy: flexible sigmoidoscopy, which uses a flexible endoscope, and rigid sigmoidoscopy, which uses a rigid device.

Examination of the colon with a colonoscope. Also called coloscopy.

A tubular instrument used for inspection of the sigmoid colon.

(medicine) The examination of the colon using a colonoscope.

(medicine) Internal examination of the sigmoid colon

Visual examination of the colon (with a colonoscope) from the cecum to the rectum; requires sedation

Visual examination (with a sigmoidoscope) of the lower third of the colon in a search for polyps