Excised polyp from the rectum. Polyps are small growths that protrude from the inner lining of the colon or rectum. Polyp growth patterns can either be tubular (tube-shaped), villous (covered in small projections), or tubulovillous (combination of tubular and villous). This polyp's growth pattern was determined to be tubulovillous and classified as low-grade dysplasia, meaning the growth was mildly abnormal and pre-cancerous.