An endoscope is a device with a light attached that is used to look inside a body cavity or organ. The scope is inserted through a natural opening, such as the mouth during a bronchoscopy or the rectum for a sigmoidoscopy.

A medical procedure using any type of endoscope is called endoscopy.

See also:

• Colonoscopy
• Cystourethroscopy
• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
• Gastroscopy
• Laryngoscopy
• Proctosigmoidoscopy

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Endoscope Prevention

Review Date: 04/30/2011
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)