Endoscope

endoscope /en·do·scope/ (en´do-skop) an instrument for examining the interior of a hollow viscus.

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en·do·scope (nd-skp)

n.

An instrument for examining visually the interior of a bodily canal or hollow organ such as the colon, bladder, or stomach.

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endo·scopic (-skpk) adj.

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Endoscope

A medical instrument that can be passed into an area of the body (the bladder or intestine, for example) to allow examination of that area. The endoscope usually has a fiber-optic camera that allows a greatly magnified image to be shown on a television screen viewed by the operator. Many endoscopes also allow the operator to retrieve a small sample (biopsy) of the area being examined, to more closely view the tissue under a microscope.

Mentioned in: Adhesions, Cholangitis, Crohn's Disease, Diarrhea, Fasciotomy, Gallstone Removal, General Surgery, Indigestion, Nasogastric Suction, Sclerotherapy for Esophageal Varices, Snoring, Thoracoscopy, Transesophageal Echocardiography

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endoscope,

n an illuminated instrument that is used to investigate the interior of the intestinal lining via the mouth.

Endoscope.

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endoscope

an instrument used for direct visual inspection of hollow organs or body cavities. Specially designed endoscopes are used for such examinations as bronchoscopy, cystoscopy,gastroscopy and proctoscopy.

Although the design of an endoscope may vary according to its specific use, all endoscopes have similar working elements. The viewing part (scope) may be a hollow metal or fiber tube fitted with a lens system that permits viewing in a variety of directions. The endoscope also has a light source, power cord and power source. Accessories that might be used with an endoscope for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes include suction tip, tubes and suction pump; forceps for removal of biopsy tissue or a foreign body; and electrode tip for cauterization.

Storz veterinary small animal endoscope. By permission from Tams T, Small Animal Endoscopy, Mosby, 1999