What procedure allows for visualization of the interior of the colon?

The procedure that enables visualization of the interior of the colon is a colonoscopy. During a colonoscopy, a flexible tube equipped with a camera, known as a colonoscope, is inserted through the rectum and carefully navigated through the colon. This allows the physician to directly visualize the lining of the colon, assess its health, identify abnormal growths, and perform biopsies if needed.

In contrast, while a CT scan is a valuable diagnostic tool that provides detailed images of the internal structures of the abdomen, it does not allow for direct visualization or intervention within the colon itself. Endoscopy refers to a broader range of procedures that may involve examining the gastrointestinal tract but typically focuses on parts such as the esophagus or stomach rather than specifically targeting the colon. Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique performed in the abdomen but does not provide direct visualization of the colon's interior, focusing more on the abdominal cavity.

Thus, colonoscopy is the definitive procedure for visualizing the interior of the colon.