gastroscope

biology

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June 29, 2026

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A gastroscope is a flexible, lighted optical instrument used in a medical procedure called esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). This procedure allows doctors to visually examine the inside of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. The gastroscope has channels for taking tissue samples (biopsies) and often a camera to record abnormalities.12

EGD is performed to diagnose conditions such as persistent peptic ulcers, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, suspected cancer, or persistent vomiting. It can also be used to treat certain conditions, like dilating esophageal strictures or controlling bleeding by injecting sclerosing agents. Gastroenterology is the medical specialty focused on the digestive system and its diseases.13

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gastroenterology
…soon replaced by the semiflexible gastroscope, developed by Rudolf Schindler in 1932, and then by the flexible fibre-optic gastroscope, developed by Basil Hirschowitz in 1957. In the 1890s Walter Cannon used X rays to visualize the stomach and digestive organs, and he also used bismuth salts to coat the gastrointestinal…
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…soon replaced by the semiflexible gastroscope, developed by Rudolf Schindler in 1932, and then by the flexible fibre-optic gastroscope, developed by Basil Hirschowitz in 1957. In the 1890s Walter Cannon used X rays to visualize the stomach and digestive organs, and he also used bismuth salts to coat the gastrointestinal…
Read More