Definition

1. Noun:
   • A medical procedure involving the visual examination of the stomach: Gastroscopy is a diagnostic procedure that allows a doctor to look inside the stomach. This is done using a long, flexible tube called a gastroscope, which has a light and a camera at its end. The gastroscope is inserted through the patient's mouth and down the esophagus to reach the stomach.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The doctor recommended a gastroscopy to investigate the cause of the persistent stomach pain.
  • During the gastroscopy, the surgeon was able to identify a small ulcer.
  • Patients are usually sedated for a gastroscopy to make them more comfortable.

Advanced Usage

• "To undergo a gastroscopy": to have the procedure performed on oneself.
  • He had to undergo a gastroscopy as part of his routine health check-up.
• "Diagnostic gastroscopy": a gastroscopy performed specifically to identify a medical problem.
  • The diagnostic gastroscopy revealed no abnormalities.
• "Therapeutic gastroscopy": a gastroscopy where medical treatment (like stopping a bleed or removing a polyp) is performed during the examination.
  • The bleeding was controlled during a therapeutic gastroscopy.

Variants and Related Words

• Gastroscope (n): The instrument used to perform a gastroscopy.
  • The gastroscope transmits images to a video monitor.
• Gastroscopic (adj): Relating to gastroscopy.
  • The gastroscopic findings were recorded.
• Gastroenterologist (n): A doctor who specializes in the digestive system and often performs gastroscopies.
  • The gastroenterologist performed the procedure.

Synonyms

• Upper endoscopy: A broader term for an endoscopic examination of the upper digestive tract (esophagus, stomach, and beginning of the small intestine), which includes a gastroscopy.
• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD): The full technical name for the procedure that examines the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.

Related Phrases

• "To have a scope" (informal): A common, non-technical way to refer to having an endoscopic procedure like a gastroscopy.
  • I'm going to the hospital to have a scope done on my stomach.
• "Camera test" (layman's term): A very simplified way some patients describe a gastroscopy.
  • The doctor said I need a camera test to look at my stomach.

Notes on Usage

• Gastroscopy is a specific type of endoscopy. While all gastroscopies are endoscopies, not all endoscopies are gastroscopies (e.g., colonoscopy).
• The word is typically used in formal, medical contexts. In everyday conversation, people often use simpler descriptive phrases.

Noun

1. visual examination of the stomach by means of a gastroscope inserted through the esophagus