Sigmoid
In human anatomy, the lower colon (the lower portion of the large bowel). "Sigmoid" is short for "sigmoid colon." The word "sigmoid" came from the Greek letter "sigma" which is shaped like a C. It also means curved in two directions like the letter S. A sigmoid curve is an S-shaped curve. The sigmoid flexure of the colon is the point where it makes the turn from transverse to descending colon. Sigmoidoscopy is a procedure in which a viewing tube (a sigmoidoscope) is inserted up into the sigmoid colon. The term "rectosigmoid" refers to both the rectum and the sigmoid colon above it.
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Resembling in outline the letter S or one of the forms of the Greek
sigma. [G. sigma, the letter S, + eidos, resemblance]
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1 a) curved like the letter C
b) curved in two directions like the letter S
2) of, relating to, or being the sigmoid colon of the intestine <\sigmoid lesions>
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sig·moid (sigґmoid) [Gr. sigmoeidēs, from the letter sigma + eidos form] 1. shaped like the letter S or the letter C. 2. colon sigmoideum.
Medical dictionary.
2011.