What specific areas does flexible sigmoidoscopy examine?

Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a medical procedure specifically designed to visualize the lower part of the colon, which includes the rectum and the sigmoid colon. This procedure utilizes a flexible tube equipped with a camera to allow the physician to examine these areas for signs of inflammation, disease, or abnormalities such as polyps.

The primary purpose of flexible sigmoidoscopy is to screen for colorectal cancer and diagnose conditions like diverticulitis or inflammatory bowel disease. By focusing on the rectum and sigmoid colon, this procedure provides valuable insights into the health of the lower gastrointestinal tract. In contrast, the other options include regions outside the scope of this particular examination, such as the stomach, small intestine, pancreas, esophagus, and duodenum, which are examined using different endoscopic methods like upper endoscopy or colonoscopy.