Colonoscopy: What It Shows & What It Doesn't (Stomach)

A colonoscopy is a procedure used to examine the large intestine (colon) and rectum. It is not possible to examine the stomach during a colonoscopy because the colonoscope, which is a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end, is not long enough to reach the stomach.

Additionally, there are other specialized procedures for exploring the stomach, such as endoscopies and upper GI barium swallows.