Relating to or affecting both the colon and the rectum, the final portions of the large intestine.
Compound of 'colo-' from Latin 'colon' (large intestine) borrowed from Greek 'kolon', and 'rectal' from Latin 'rectum' meaning 'straight intestine'. This medical term was formed in the 20th century as medical specialization increased.
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, yet it's highly preventable and treatable when caught early through screening. The term reflects how the colon and rectum function as a single unit in the digestive system's final processing stage.
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