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Glite Dictionary
flexible sigmoidoscope

flexible sigmoidoscope

6.3
A thin flexible tube with a light used to look inside the lower part of the colon
  • noun
  • /ˈflɛksəbl ˌsɪɡmɔɪdəˌskoʊp/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sigmoidoscopio flexible
  • The doctor used a flexible sigmoidoscope to investigate the source of the patient's rectal bleeding.

Examples

  • With proper training, nurses can operate a flexible sigmoidoscope safely and effectively.

  • A routine screening may involve the insertion of a flexible sigmoidoscope to examine the lower part of the colon.

  • The doctor used a flexible sigmoidoscope during the examination.

  • Many hospitals now have flexible sigmoidoscopes available for procedures.

  • The doctor used a flexible sigmoidoscope to check for signs of inflammation in the patient's colon.

  • During the routine examination, the flexible sigmoidoscope provided clear images of the sigmoid colon.

  • She felt more comfortable knowing that the procedure involved a flexible sigmoidoscope instead of a rigid tool.

Synonyms

sigmoidoscope
vsflexible sigmoidoscope
  • Specialized
1 8.7

A thin flexible tube doctors use to look inside the lower part of the large intestine

means the same but highlights thinness and usual clinical use
colonoscope
vsflexible sigmoidoscope
  • Specialized
1 7.5

A long thin flexible tube with a light and camera used to look inside the colon

focuses only on the sigmoid section rather than the whole colon

Surface Forms

flexible sigmoidoscope singular
flexible sigmoidoscopes plural

Morphology

flexible + sigmoidoscope

This is a straightforward adjective + noun composition: 'flexible' (able to bend) modifies 'sigmoidoscope' (an instrument for examining the sigmoid colon), so the combined meaning is simply a sigmoidoscope that is flexible. Although 'sigmoidoscope' is a technical medical term, if a learner knows the constituent definitions they can readily derive the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Flexible sigmoidoscope gives a simple picture: flexible means 'bendy' and sigmoidoscope joins sigmoid, the 'S-shaped' part of the colon, and scope, a tool 'to look inside'. Doctors slide a thin, bendy tube into the lower S-shaped part of the colon to 'look inside', so the name tells you what the tool does.