Upper-Intermediate (B2)
IPA: /prɒkˈtɒlədʒi/
KK: /prɒkˈtɒlədʒi/
Definition
A field of medicine focused on diagnosing and treating issues related to the colon, rectum, and anus.
Example
He decided to specialize in proctology to help patients with digestive issues.
Conversation

I was reading about different medical specialties, and I came across proctology.

Oh really? That's the field that deals with issues related to the colon and rectum, right?

Yeah, I found it interesting how specialized medicine can get, especially with proctology.

Definitely! It's important work, even if it's not the most glamorous.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
coloproctology
rectology
anorectal
Root Explanation
Proctology → It is formed from "proktos" (Greek, meaning anus) and "-logia" (from Greek "logia", meaning study of). The word refers to the study of the anus and rectum.
Memory Tip
Think of 'proktos' which means anus, and '-logia' which means study. This helps you remember that proctology is the study of the anus and rectum.
Visually Confused Words
protolog
photology
otology
pyrotheology
protozoology
protistology
reactology
pyritology