Endoscopy — the examination of internal organs, the performance of biopsies and surgical procedures using a specialised instrument known as an endoscope.
Endoscopes are optical devices designed for various purposes to examine hard-to-reach body cavities. Most of these instruments consist of a thin, flexible tube fitted with an LED and a video camera. The tube is usually inserted through the mouth (though it can also be inserted via the anus, urethra, nose or cervix) and is guided down the throat until it reaches the organ to be examined. The images captured by the camera are displayed on a computer monitor.