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An endoscope is a medical instrument used to look inside the body. It is often a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera at the tip. Images from the camera help clinicians examine organs, tissues, and body passages without a large incision. Some endoscopes also have channels for tools used to take tissue samples or treat certain problems.
read more about endoscope ...An endoscope is guided into the body through a natural opening or a small cut, depending on the procedure. The camera sends live images to a screen so the clinician can examine the area closely. Air, water, suction, or tiny tools can be used during the procedure. The exact steps depend on the body area being examined.
Upper endoscopy looks at the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine. Colonoscopy looks at the colon and rectum. Bronchoscopy examines the airways, while cystoscopy examines the bladder. Laparoscopy uses a small incision to view the abdomen or pelvis.
An endoscope can help investigate symptoms such as pain, bleeding, swallowing trouble, bowel changes, or persistent cough. It can also help find ulcers, inflammation, polyps, narrowing, tumors, or foreign objects. During some procedures, clinicians can remove tissue, stop bleeding, widen narrowed areas, or collect biopsies. The procedure choice depends on symptoms and the body area involved.
Reusable endoscopes need careful cleaning and high-level disinfection or sterilization between patients. Staff follow detailed reprocessing steps because body fluids and tissue can remain inside small channels. Patients are also given instructions about fasting, sedation, and recovery when needed. Call the care team after the procedure if you have severe pain, fever, heavy bleeding, or worsening symptoms.
No. Endoscopes can examine the digestive tract, airways, bladder, joints, abdomen, and other areas. The name of the procedure changes based on the body part being viewed.
It depends on the procedure and your care plan. Some endoscopic procedures use sedation, while others use local numbing medicine or no sedation.
Yes. Some endoscopes have channels that allow small tools to collect tissue samples. The sample can be sent to a lab for testing.
Follow your discharge instructions and call your care team for severe pain, fever, vomiting, heavy bleeding, chest pain, or trouble breathing. Mild throat soreness or bloating can happen after some procedures.
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Endoscopy. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003338.htm. Date Accessed May 26, 2026.
Upper GI Endoscopy. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diagnostic-tests/upper-gi-endoscopy. Date Accessed May 26, 2026.
Colonoscopy. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diagnostic-tests/colonoscopy. Date Accessed May 26, 2026.
Upper Endoscopy. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/endoscopy/about/pac-20395197. Date Accessed May 26, 2026.