A colonoscopy is an outpatient procedure that is done to examine the inside of the large intestine (colon and rectum). The examination uses an instrument called a colonoscope (sometimes called a scope). This flexible instrument, is very long and includes a camera and the ability to remove tissue (you do not feel tissue being removed).
A colonoscopy is commonly used to evaluate gastrointestinal symptoms, such as bleeding, abdominal pain or changes in bowel habits (how often you poop, how easily you poop, and the color and consistency of your poop).