What is expected to be found at the grossing table after a colostomy procedure?

After a colostomy procedure, the expected findings at the grossing table would include a thin ring of skin and a small piece of colon. A colostomy involves the surgical creation of an opening in the abdominal wall, allowing a portion of the colon (the large intestine) to be brought to the skin surface. This procedure is performed for various reasons, such as diverticulitis, bowel obstruction, or cancer.

The thin ring of skin typically represents the stoma, which is the visible portion of the colon that is now externalized through the abdominal wall. The small piece of colon will be the section that was brought out to form this stoma. This colon section may still have vitality and function, depending on how the surgery was performed and the underlying conditions.

Other options presented do not align with the anatomy and surgical procedure of a colostomy. For instance, a portion of the stomach pertains to gastric surgery rather than colostomy, while a small piece of ileum refers to a part of the small intestine, which wouldn't be involved in a colostomy. Likewise, finding only the uterus would be unrelated unless discussing a different type of surgery altogether, such as a hysterectomy. Thus, the presence of skin and colon at