endoscope

noun en·do·scope \ ˈen-də-ˌskōp \

Updated on: 1 May 2018

Definition of endoscope

: an illuminated usually fiber-optic flexible or rigid tubular instrument for visualizing the interior of a hollow organ or part (such as the bladder or esophagus) for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes that typically has one or more channels to enable passage of instruments (such as forceps or scissors)

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endoscopy

play \en-ˈdä-skə-pē\ noun

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Recent Examples of endoscope from the Web

The latest study examined 45 endoscopes, with all but two manufactured by Olympus.

— chad terhune, latimes.com, "Hospitals and device makers still struggle to rid medical scopes of infectious bacteria," 23 Apr. 2018
This tool combines an endoscope with a laser and sensors that analyze reflected fluorescent patterns and gives researchers a microscopic view of living tissues.

— rachael rettner, Scientific American, "Meet Your Interstitium, A Newfound “Organ”," 27 Mar. 2018
Similarly, using this device, a robotic arm could be manipulated to do things your own arm could not—snaking an endoscope through the aorta to do surgery on a faulty heart valve beating inside a patient’s chest, perhaps.

— r. douglas fields, Scientific American, "Wristband Lets the Brain Control a Computer with a Thought and a Twitch," 27 Mar. 2018
In this case, the scientists used a new technique that combined laser imaging with a super-tiny, camera-toting probe called an endoscope.

— scott berson, charlotteobserver, "Scientists discovered a new ‘organ’ in the body. It may explain how cancer spreads | Charlotte Observer," 27 Mar. 2018
Tissue is lit by the endoscope's lasers and the fluorescent patterns it then reflects are analyzed by sensors.

— National Geographic, "New Human 'Organ' Was Hiding in Plain Sight," 27 Mar. 2018
View Sample Sign Up Now The bubble wrap-like network only became visible when the pathologists used a new laser endoscope, called a confocal laser endomicroscope, that allowed them to see microscopic tissues in living people.

— alice park, Time, "Scientists Have Discovered a New Organ in the Human Body. What is the Interstitium?," 27 Mar. 2018
Expansion into the health-care sector with products such as ultrasound and endoscope equipment should boost sales, but that segment's thinner margins could offset gains in the imaging division, according to Bloomberg Intelligence.

— bloomberg news, OregonLive.com, "Xerox cedes control to Fujifilm in $18 billion deal," 31 Jan. 2018
During a followup exam 11 days later, Hoover inserted a small optical instrument called an endoscope into Edouard’s nose.

— bruce henderson, charlotteobserver, "A Haitian doctor lost his sight and career. Some Charlotteans found a way to help.," 31 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'endoscope.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

The Greek prefix endo- means "within, inside", so around 1860 an early crude instrument for looking deep inside the body was named the endoscope. But modern endoscopy required the invention of the electric lightbulb and then fiber-optic cable, so the first modern endoscopes date only to 1967. An endoscope may be inserted through a natural passageway (for example, through the nose or down the esophagus) or through a tiny cut in the skin. A tiny camera with a light at the end of the cable sends back images onto a screen, and the surgeon uses special instruments that work through a tube alongside the cable. There are now specialized types of endoscopes for every part of the body, where they can take tissue samples, cut out small growths, or remove foreign objects.

Origin and Etymology of endoscope

International Scientific Vocabulary

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First Known Use: 1861

in the meaning defined above

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Medical Dictionary

endoscope

noun en·do·scope \ ˈen-də-ˌskōp \

medical Definition of endoscope

: an illuminated usually fiber-optic flexible or rigid tubular instrument for visualizing the interior of a hollow organ or part (as the bladder or esophagus) for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes that typically has one or more channels to enable passage of instruments (as forceps or scissors)

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