fiber-optic endoscope
Quick Summary
A fiber-optic endoscope is a flexible, lighted medical instrument used for examining the inside of the body, often through natural openings. It is composed of bundled, hair-like glass rods that allow light to travel through them, enabling visualization of internal organs and tissues.123
These instruments can be maneuvered to access difficult-to-reach areas and can be equipped with accessories for taking tissue samples, removing polyps, or extracting foreign objects. Modern endoscopy often incorporates camera or video technology for image capture and digital modifications for enhanced visualization. While fiber-optic endoscopes are valuable for examining organs like the stomach and duodenum, other methods like capsule endoscopy are used for deeper parts of the small intestine.12
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