What Are the Types of Endoscopy?
Endoscopies fall into categories, based on the area of the body that they
investigate. The American Cancer Society (ACS) lists the following types of
endoscopies:
Arthroscopy is used to examine your joints. The scope is inserted
through a small incision near the joint being examined.
Bronchoscopy is used to examine your lungs. The scope is inserted into
your nose or mouth.
Colonoscopy is used to examine your colon. The scope is inserted
through your anus.
Cystoscopy is used to examine your bladder. The scope is inserted
through your urethra, which is the hole through which you urinate.
Enteroscopy is used to examine your small intestine. The scope is
inserted through your mouth or anus.
Hysteroscopy is used for the examining the inside of your uterus. The
scope is inserted through your vagina.
Laparoscopy is used to examine your abdominal or pelvic area. The
scope is inserted through a small incision near the area that’s being
examined.
Laryngoscopy is used to examine your voice box, or larynx. The scope is
inserted through your mouth or nostril.
Mediastinoscopy is used to examine the area between the lungs called
the “mediastinum.” The scope is inserted through an incision above your
breastbone.
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is used to examine your esophagus
and upper intestinal tract. The scope is inserted through your mouth.
Ureteroscopy is used to examine your ureter. The scope is inserted
through your urethra.
Name of Name of tool Area or organ viewed How endoscope reaches target area
procedure
Arthroscopy Arthroscope Joints Inserted through a small incision over the area
to be viewed
Bronchoscopy Bronchoscope Trachea (windpipe) and bronchi of the Inserted through the mouth
lungs
Colonoscopy Colonoscope Entire length of the colon and large Inserted through the anus
intestine
Colposcopy Colposcope Vagina and cervix A speculum is inserted into the vagina. The
colposcope is placed at the opening of the
vagina but does not enter it.
Cystoscopy Cystoscope Inside of the bladder Inserted through the urethra
Esophagoscopy Esophagoscope Esophagus Inserted through the mouth
Gastroscopy Gastroscope Stomach and duodenum (beginning of the Inserted through the mouth
small intestine)
Laparoscopy Laparoscope Stomach, liver, or other abdominal organ, Inserted through a small, surgical opening in
including female reproductive organs the abdomen
(uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes)
Laryngoscopy Laryngoscope Larynx (voice box) Inserted through the mouth
Neuroendoscopy Neuroendoscope Areas of the brain Inserted through a small incision in the skull
near the area to be viewed
Proctoscopy Proctoscope Rectum and sigmoid colon Inserted through the anus
Sigmoidoscopy Sigmoidoscope Sigmoid colon (bottom part of the colon) Inserted through the anus
Thoracoscopy Thoracoscope Pleura covering the lungs and structures Inserted through a small surgical opening in
covering the heart chest
List of common surgery terms[edit]
Prefixes[edit]
angio- : related to blood vessels
arthr- : related to a joint
bi- : two
colono- : related to large intestine colon
colpo- : related to the vagina
cysto- : related to the bladder
encephal- : related to the brain
gastr- : related to stomach
hepat- : related to the liver
hyster- : related to the uterus
lamino- : related to the lamina (posterior aspect of vertebra)
lapar- : related to the abdominal cavity
Etymology actually refers to soft, fleshy part of abdominal wall. The term celio- is
probably more accurate and used in America.
lobo- : related to a lobe (of the brain or lungs)
mammo- and masto-: related to the breast
myo- : related to muscle tissue
nephro- : related to the kidney
oophor- : related to the ovary
orchid- : related to the testicle
rhino- : related to the nose
thoraco- : related to the chest
vas- : related to a duct, usually the vas deferens
Suffixes[edit]
-centesis : surgical puncture
-clasia : crushing or breaking up
-desis : fusion of two parts into one, stabilization
-ectomy : surgical removal (see List of -ectomies). The term 'resection' is also used,
especially when referring to a tumor.
-opsy : looking at
-oscopy : viewing of, normally with a scope
-ostomy or -stomy : surgically creating a hole (a new "mouth" or "stoma")
-otomy or -tomy : surgical incision (see List of -otomies)
-pexy : to fix or secure
-plasty : to modify or reshape (sometimes entails replacement with a prosthesis)
-rrhaphy : to strengthen, usually with suture
