Introduction

An endoscopy is a procedure where the inside of your body is examined using an instrument called an endoscope.

An endoscope is a long, thin, flexible tube that has a light source and camera at one end. Images of the inside of your body are relayed to a television screen.

Endoscopes can be inserted into the body through a natural opening, such as the mouth and down the throat, or through the bottom.

An endoscope can also be inserted through a smallcut (incision) made in the skin when keyhole surgery is being carried out.

This page covers:

When an endoscopy is used

What happens during an endoscopy

Risks

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 18 Oct 2016