What is Endoscopy?
[[File:Flexibles Endoskop.jpg|right|thumb|200px|A flexible endoscope.]] '''Endoscopy''' means to ''look inside''. This often means looking inside the body for medical reasons with an '''endoscope'''. An endoscope is a [[medical instrument]] that is made to see parts inside a patient's body. This has the advantage that [[observation]]s and certain [[Surgery|operations]] can be done without opening up the body. Whatever precautions are taken, an open body part is always at risk of [[infection]]. The endoscope has a long tube to enter the patient's body and a tiny camera or [[lens (optics)|lens]] attached to the front of this tube. Sometimes the tube is guided through the body using outside imaging. It is usually inserted into patient's nose, mouth, or anus, so surgeons can see what is there. If necessary, action can be taken, like getting a [[tissue]] [[biopsy]]. == Parts == An endoscope has at least some of these parts: *a rigid or flexible tube. *a light, which is usually outside the body and delivered by an [[optical fibre]] system. *a [[lens (optics)|lens]] system which takes the [[image]] from the [[objective lens]] to the viewer. This can be done by a [[relay lens]] system in the case of rigid endoscopes or a bundle of fiberoptics in the case of a [[fibrescope]]. *an [[eyepiece]]. Modern instruments may be videoscopes, with no eyepiece. In these a camera transmits image to a screen. This has the advantage that the image can be seen by all in the operating theatre. *an additional channel to carry medical instruments or manipulators. == Uses == [[File:Santiagodechile2007.jpg|thumb|<center>{{PAGENAME}}</center>]] Endoscopy can involve * The [[gastrointestinal tract]] (GI tract): ** [[esophagus]], [[stomach]] and [[duodenum]] ** [[small intestine]] ** [[colon (anatomy)|colon]] ** [[Bile duct]] * The [[respiratory tract]] ** The [[nose]] ** The lower [[respiratory tract]] ([[bronchoscopy]]) * The [[urinary tract]] * The female [[reproductive system]] ** The [[cervix]] ** The [[uterus]] ** The [[Fall