Basic Endoscopic Findings — Normal and Pathological Findings

Since its inception, colonoscopy has evolved to become the cornerstone for colorectal imaging. The increasing indications for endoscopic evaluation and potential therapeutic intervention parallels technological advances and the expanding diagnostic and thera‐ peutic capabilities of colonoscopy. The diagnostic and therapeutic yield of colonoscopy is highly user dependent. Thus, it is essential for the clinical endoscopist to perform a thor‐ ough endoscopic evaluation and be cognizant of normal and pathologic findings. This re‐ view details normal and pathologic endoscopic findings in a variety of disease states that are often encountered by the clinical endoscopist including colon polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, and infectious and non-infectious colitides. In addition, we review the di‐ agnostic and therapeutic role of colonoscopy in the evaluation of an acute lower gastroin‐ testinal bleed.