Proctoscopy
Introduction


**Proctoscopy**, or **rectoscopy**, is a common medical procedure in which an instrument called a proctoscope (also known as a **rectoscope**, although the latter may be a bit longer) is used to examine the [anal cavity](/wiki/Anal_cavity "Anal cavity"), [rectum](/wiki/Rectum "Rectum"), or [sigmoid colon](/wiki/Sigmoid_colon "Sigmoid colon"). A proctoscope is a short, straight, rigid, hollow metal tube, and usually has a small light bulb mounted at the end. It is approximately 15 cm (5 inches) long, while a rectoscope is approximately 25 cm (10 inches) long. During proctoscopy, the proctoscope is lubricated and inserted into the [rectum](/wiki/Rectum "Rectum"), and then the [obturator](/wiki/wikt:Obturator "Obturator") is removed, allowing an unobstructed view of the interior of the rectal cavity. This procedure is normally done to inspect for [hemorrhoids](/wiki/Hemorrhoids "Hemorrhoids") or rectal [polyps](/wiki/Polyp_%28medicine%29 "Polyp (medicine)") and might be mildly uncomfortable as the proctoscope is inserted further into the rectum. Modern [fibre\-optic](/wiki/Fibre-optic "Fibre-optic") proctoscopes allow more extensive observation with less discomfort.


How long is a proctoscope?