endoscope

noun

en·​do·​scope ˈen-də-ˌskōp 

: an illuminated usually fiber-optic flexible or rigid tubular instrument for visualizing the interior of a hollow organ or part (such as the bladder or esophagus) for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes that typically has one or more channels to enable passage of instruments (such as forceps or scissors)

endoscopy

en-ˈdä-skə-pē 

noun

Did you know?

The Greek prefix endo- means "within, inside", so around 1860 an early crude instrument for looking deep inside the body was named the endoscope. But modern endoscopy required the invention of the electric lightbulb and then fiber-optic cable, so the first modern endoscopes date only to 1967. An endoscope may be inserted through a natural passageway (for example, through the nose or down the esophagus) or through a tiny cut in the skin. A tiny camera with a light at the end of the cable sends back images onto a screen, and the surgeon uses special instruments that work through a tube alongside the cable. There are now specialized types of endoscopes for every part of the body, where they can take tissue samples, cut out small growths, or remove foreign objects.

Examples of endoscope in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Not having food or drink in your stomach helps prevent you from vomiting when the endoscope is placed in your throat. —Qin Rao, Verywell Health, 1 Nov. 2024

The storied company has seen success in the medical equipment field, and controls much of the global endoscope market. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune Asia, 28 Oct. 2024

The standard method involves inserting an endoscope — a flexible tube with a camera on one end — into a patient’s throat and threading it down to the stomach. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 23 Sep. 2024

Endoscopy: This involves using an endoscope (a flexible tool with light on the end) to examine or collect tissues from inside the body for further testing. —Joy Emeh, Health, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

endoscope

noun

en·​do·​scope ˈen-də-ˌskōp 

: a tubular medical instrument that allows the interior of a hollow organ or body part to be seen

endoscopic

ˌen-də-ˈskäp-ik

adjective

Medical Definition

endoscope

noun

en·​do·​scope ˈen-də-ˌskōp 

: an illuminated usually fiber-optic flexible or rigid tubular instrument for visualizing the interior of a hollow organ or part (as the bladder or esophagus) for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes that typically has one or more channels to enable passage of instruments (as forceps or scissors)

endoscopy

en-ˈdäs-kə-pē 

noun

plural endoscopies