Endoscopy is a medical procedure that allows the specialist to observe the inside of the body and provide the right treatment options. As a long flexible tube, the endoscope includes a lens at one end, along with a video camera that is used to examine the patient’s body. The tube’s lens is inserted into the patient to allow the light to pass into the tube to illuminate the relevant areas the specialist would need to examine. With a video camera, they can magnify the areas of concern to project it onto a television screen. This allows doctors to check and examine the underlying issues inside the body. Usually, an endoscope is inserted through the mouth, urethra, or anus.

Endoscopes are used for various purposes on different parts of the body. Each has its own name depending on the body part being examined.

• Bronchoscope – ​Inserted down the trachea (windpipe) for examining the lungs.
• Colonoscope –​Inserted through the anus for examining the colon (bowel).
• Gastroscope – ​Inserted down the esophagus for examining the stomach.
• Duodenoscope – ​Inserted through the stomach to get clear results when inspecting and performing procedures on the bile duct or pancreatic duct.
• Hysteroscope – ​Inserted for examining the uterus through the cervix.
• Cystoscope and Ureteroscope – ​Inserted for examining the urinary bladder and ureters through the urethra.