Definition

1. Noun:
   • A medical procedure for visually examining the interior of a hollow organ or body cavity: "Endoscopy" refers to the technique of using a long, thin, flexible tube with a light and camera (an endoscope) to look inside the body.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The doctor recommended an endoscopy to investigate the cause of the stomach pain.
  • During the endoscopy, a small tissue sample (biopsy) can be taken for further testing.

Advanced Usage

• "To undergo an endoscopy": to have the procedure performed on oneself.
  • The patient had to undergo an endoscopy to rule out serious conditions.
• "Diagnostic endoscopy": an endoscopy performed primarily to identify a disease or condition.
  • A diagnostic endoscopy confirmed the presence of an ulcer.
• "Therapeutic endoscopy": an endoscopy where instruments are used through the endoscope to treat a condition, such as stopping bleeding or removing a polyp.
  • The bleeding was controlled during a therapeutic endoscopy.

Variants and Related Words

• Endoscope (n): The instrument used to perform an endoscopy.
  • The endoscope transmits images to a video monitor.
• Endoscopic (adj): Relating to endoscopy.
  • Endoscopic surgery is less invasive than traditional surgery.
• Endoscopist (n): A doctor who specializes in performing endoscopies.
  • The endoscopist was very experienced.

Synonyms

• Internal examination: A general term for looking inside the body.
• Visual inspection (of an organ): A more technical description of the procedure's purpose.

Related Phrases and Collocations

• Upper endoscopy (or EGD): Examination of the esophagus, stomach, and beginning of the small intestine.
  • An upper endoscopy is used to diagnose acid reflux disease.
• Lower endoscopy (or colonoscopy): Examination of the large intestine (colon) and rectum.
  • A colonoscopy is a type of lower endoscopy used for colon cancer screening.
• Capsule endoscopy: A procedure where the patient swallows a pill-sized camera that takes pictures of the digestive tract.
  • Capsule endoscopy is useful for viewing the small intestine.

Noun

1. visual examination of the interior of a hollow body organ by use of an endoscope