endoscopy<br />What is an endoscopy?<br /><br />An endoscopy is a procedure done to examine structures inside your body up close. During an endoscopy, a healthcare provider places a long, thin tube (endoscope) inside your body until it reaches the organ or area they need to check. Most endoscopes have a light and special camera at the end. The scope captures images or videos of organs or other body parts. It displays them on a screen your provider sees. Many endoscopes have special channels inside. Providers can insert operating instruments to remove tissue or perform surgery during an endoscopy.<br /><br />What are the types of endoscopy? <br />Anoscopy: Scope goes through your anus (butthole) to look at your anus and rectum.<br />Arthroscopy: Scope goes through an incision above your joint to look for damage or conditions like arthritis.<br />Bronchoscopy: Scope goes through your mouth or nostril to look at your trachea (windpipe) and lungs.<br />Colonoscopy: Scope goes through your anus to look at your entire large intestine (colon).<br />Cystoscopy: Scope goes through your urethra (the tube that allows pee out of your body) to look at it and your bladder.<br />Enteroscopy: Scope goes through your mouth (for upper enteroscopy) or your anus (for lower enteroscopy) to look at your small intestine.<br />Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) or upper endoscopy: Scope goes through your mouth to look at your esophagus, stomach and the upper part of your small intestine.<br />Hysteroscopy: Scope goes through your vagina to look at your uterus.<br />Laparoscopy: Scope goes through an incision in your abdomen to look at your abdominal and reproductive organs.<br />Laryngoscopy: Scope goes through your mouth or nostril to look at your voice box (larynx).<br />Mediastinoscopy: Scope goes through an incision above your breast bone to look at the area between your lungs that includes your heart, esophagus and windpipe (mediastinum).<br />Neuroendoscopy: Scope goes through an incision in your skull to look at your brain.<br />Proctoscopy (rigid sigmoidoscopy): Scope goes through your anus to look at your anus and rectum.<br />Sigmoidoscopy (flexible sigmoidoscopy): Scope goes through your anus to look at the lower part of your colon (called the sigmoid) and your rectum.<br />Thoracoscopy (also called a pleuroscopy): Scope goes through an incision in your chest to look at your lungs and the area around your lungs, including your diaphragm, esophagus and chest walls.<br />Ureteroscopy: Scope goes through your urethra to look at the tubes that connect your kidneys to your bladder (ureters).