HealthAugust 30, 2026

colonoscopy

koh-luh-NOS-kuh-pee

Definition

A medical procedure in which a doctor uses a long, flexible, lighted tube to examine the inner lining of the large intestine.

Etymology

The word is derived from the Greek 'kolon' (meaning the colon) and the Greek suffix '-skopia' (meaning to view or observe).

In the news

The article uses this term as an example of a relatively affordable preventive screening, contrasting its cost with the much higher expense of treating advanced-stage cancer.

Federal cuts lead to growing burden on Cook County health system, taxpayers

Read the full article ↗

Chicago Tribune

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