Colonoscopy is an endoscopic examination of the large intestine. The examination is performed by passing through the curved and twisted cuts of the large intestine and accessing the part of the large intestine called the cecum following the entry of the colonoscopy device from the rectum into the colon. The cecum is the area where the end of the small intestine connects to the large intestine. Since the organ being examined is longer and twisted, the procedure takes longer in colonoscopy than gastroscopy and colonoscopy requires more skill. During colonoscopy, intravenous drugs that provide sedation (superficial sleep) can be used as in gastroscopy. However, the flexible scope used in colonoscopy can cause pain by creating tension in these areas while passing through the twisted parts of the colon. For this reason, unlike gastroscopy in colonoscopy, intravenous narcotic pain medications often need to be applied.
Colonoscopy is an endoscopic examination of the large intestine.
