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Glite Dictionary
sigmoid flexure

sigmoid flexure

9.9
An S-shaped bend near the end of the large intestine that leads to the rectum
  • noun
  • /ˈsɪɡmɔɪd ˈflɛkʃər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : flexura sigmoide
  • During surgery, the doctor examined the patient's sigmoid flexure for signs of disease.

Examples

  • A blockage in the sigmoid flexure may cause abdominal pain and constipation.

  • Doctors often examine the sigmoid flexure during colonoscopies.

  • The sigmoid flexure can sometimes be affected by certain digestive disorders.

  • The sigmoid flexure plays a crucial role in digestion.

  • A blockage in the sigmoid flexure may cause abdominal pain and constipation.

  • During surgery, the doctor examined the patient's sigmoid flexure for signs of disease.

  • Doctors often examine the sigmoid flexure during colonoscopies.

Synonyms

sigmoid colon
vssigmoid flexure
  • Specialized
1 6.1

An S-shaped part of the large intestine before the rectum

has identical meaning but described as the S-shaped curve of the colon

Surface Forms

sigmoid flexure singular
sigmoid flexures plural

Morphology

sigmoid + flexure

Both constituents are directly compositional: 'sigmoid' denotes an S-shape and 'flexure' denotes a bend or curve, so a learner who knows those words can infer an S-shaped bend. Although the term is technical/medical, its meaning is transparently derived from the parts rather than being idiomatic.

Etymology

Sigmoid flexure comes from words that describe its shape: sigmoid refers to the 'S' shape and flexure means a bend. It is the S-shaped bend of the colon that connects the descending colon to the rectum, so the name points to its curved shape and location.