Endoscope, << EHN duh skohp, >> is a medical instrument used to examine the interior of a hollow organ or cavity of the body. Unlike most other medical imaging devices, endoscopes are inserted directly into the organ or cavity being examined. There are several types of endoscopes. Each type has its own name and is used for viewing a specific body part. For example, a gastroscope is used to examine the stomach; a bronchoscope, the upper passages of the lungs; and an arthroscope, the small spaces within joints.
Most endoscopes consist of a flexible or rigid hollow tube with a lens at one end. Light-transmitting threads called optical fibers extend along the inside of some tubes. The optical fibers shed light on the tissue and permit viewing through the lens.
Various medical procedures, including certain types of surgery, can be performed through an endoscope. For example, forceps can be passed through an endoscope to obtain samples of tissue. Lasers can be inserted through an endoscope to destroy abnormal tissue or to remove fatty deposits within blood vessels.
