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Endoscope

An endoscope is a thin, flexible, lighted viewing instrument. It is used during procedures to examine the inside of organs, canals, and cavities in the body.

An endoscope may be inserted into a person's mouth and guided down the throat to examine the esophagus, stomach, and upper end of the small intestine. Different types of endoscopes can also be used to study the sinuses, the colon, a woman's pelvic organs, and other parts of the body.

Author Jeannette Curtis
Author Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer Patrice Burgess, MD
- Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Adam Husney, MD
- Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD
- Family Medicine
Last Updated May 25, 2007

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: May 25, 2007
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