We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Endoscopy?

Malcolm Tatum
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 31,622
Share

An endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows physicians to identify and evaluate the function of vital organs as well as locate the presence of any type of abnormalities. The procedure is conducted using a device known as an endoscope. Under certain conditions, an endoscopy will sometimes make use of a similar device that is called a borescope.

An endoscope usually is composed of a tube that is either flexible or rigid, depending on the type of endoscopic procedure to be performed. The device includes a light source to illuminate the interior area that the physician wishes to observe, as well as a lens to help focus the view and to take photographs is necessary. The presence of the tube also makes it possible to utilize various types of medical instruments to gently move organs to one side or to harvest a tissue sample of some kind.

The main purpose of this procedure is to allow the physician to observe what is happening within the body. The procedure can help the physician to identify signs that an organ is not functioning as it should, is enlarged, or in some other manner is not as it should be. At the same time, it can be used to visually evaluate any type of abnormal growths present in or around an organ, such as a tumor.

Along with providing a real-time visual image to the physician, an endoscopy sometimes includes the extraction of a small sample of tissue. This is especially helpful when the physician feels there is a need to perform a biopsy or other testing on some other type of tissue sample. Along with harvesting tissue samples, the procedure will normally include taking snapshots of the body’s interior. The attending physician can use these photographs in the ongoing process of diagnosis and treatment.

This type of procedure can be used to observe activity in a number of systems throughout the body. For example, a gastrointestinal endoscopy would provide access to the entire GI tract, including the small intestine, bile duct, and colon. The duodenum, stomach, and esophagus may also be observed during this procedure. Depending on the particular set of organs the physician wishes to view, the GI procedure may be referred to as a stomach endoscopy or an upper endoscopy.

A capsule endoscopy is a common designation when the procedure includes the use of a small camera. Usually classified as a noninvasive procedure, the encapsulated camera is ingested by the patient, and records images as the capsule moves through the digestive tract. This procedure provides the attending physician with a wealth of information without the need to schedule any type of exploratory surgical procedure.

Endoscopies are also used to observe activity and conditions in the urinary and respiratory tracts. The procedure can also be used in diagnosing health issues with the female reproductive system as well as observe the activity of the heart and other organs found in the chest. There are even specialized forms of the procedure that allow the physician to monitor the condition of the fetus and the amnion during pregnancy.

In years past, the information that can be gathered during an endoscopic procedure would have only been available by using a highly invasive procedure. As a result, the recovery time for the patient is minimal and it is possible to access and utilize the collected data immediately rather than later.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Malcolm Tatum
By Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing to become a full-time freelance writer. He has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGeek, and his work has also been featured in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and newspapers. When not writing, Malcolm enjoys collecting vinyl records, following minor league baseball, and cycling.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By Certlerant — On Feb 26, 2014

Soon, even an endoscope will not be needed to take pictures inside of our bodies.

A small capsule has been developed that is swallowed like a pill. This capsule contains a camera that takes pictures the entire way through the body.

The process is slow, but the images can be viewed as the capsule moves along, giving doctors an instant look at problem areas without having to cleanse your system before the procedure or having to worry about common endoscopy complications.

The capsule is eventually passed, and the camera can be used again in a new pill.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-endoscopy.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.