What is the procedure called for examining the rectal and anal area with an endoscope?

The procedure for examining the rectal and anal area with an endoscope is known as proctoscopy. This specialized examination uses a proctoscope, which is a type of endoscope specifically designed to visualize the rectum and anal canal.

Proctoscopy allows healthcare providers to diagnose conditions such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and rectal tumors, making it an important tool in gastroenterology. This procedure is typically performed when symptoms such as rectal bleeding, pain, or changes in bowel habits are present.

While colonoscopy is used to examine the entire colon, and sigmoidoscopy is focused on the lower part of the colon (the sigmoid colon), neither of these options is designed specifically for the detailed examination of the anal and rectal areas like proctoscopy. Endoscopy is a broader term that encompasses various types of internal examinations using an endoscope, but it does not specify the region being examined. Thus, the specificity of proctoscopy makes it the correct choice for this question.