Endoscopes - Basics
| Abbreviation / other names What
does |
Colonoscopes, Duodenoscopy, Gastroscope, Bronchoscope, Rhinoscope
Endo = inside |
| What does it do? |
An endoscope is used to examine and take biopsies inside passages
in the body (eg. inside lining of the upper and lower digestive
system, bronchus etc). The endoscopes are named and are designed
to be used in specific areas, for example the bronchoscope is
used only to go into the bronchus, while the gastroscope is
designed to examine and take biopsies of the stomach. |
| Physiology |
Endoscopy can be helpful in the evaluation or diagnosis of
various medical problems including intestinal, stomach, abdomen,
duodenum and bronchus bleeding, ulcers, and tumours. Biopsies
can be taken for examination. |
| How it works |
The endoscope is a long, thin, flexible tube with a tiny video
camera or eyepiece and light on the end. By adjusting the various
controls on the endoscope, the user can safely guide the instrument
to carefully examine the inside lining of the upper or lower
digestive system, nasal, bronchus etc. The endoscopes are designed
with an air and water channel, while the larger endoscopes also
have a biopsy and suction channel. The air and water is used
to keep the viewing area clean. A fiberoptic light channel illuminates
the viewing area. The distal end of the scope can be angled
in almost all directions for examining the surroundings |
| Picture of equipment |
|
 |
|