Editing Endoscopy (section)

==Medical uses==
[[File:PENTAX Colonoscope002.jpg|thumb|Operation part of the endoscope]]
[[File:Insertion tip of endoscope.jpg|thumb|Insertion tip of an endoscope]]
Endoscopy may be used to investigate symptoms in the [[digestive system]] including [[nausea]], [[vomiting]], [[abdominal pain]], [[difficulty swallowing]], and [[gastrointestinal bleeding]].<ref name="mayoendo">{{cite web |url=http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/endoscopy/MY00138/METHOD=print |title=Upper endoscopy |author=Staff |work=Mayo Clinic |year=2012 |access-date=24 September 2012 |archive-date=25 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525230502/http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/endoscopy/MY00138/METHOD=print |url-status=live }}</ref> It is also used in diagnosis, most commonly by performing a biopsy to check for conditions such as [[anemia]], bleeding, [[inflammation]], and [[Digestive system neoplasm|cancers of the digestive system]].<ref name="mayoendo"/> The procedure may also be used for treatment such as [[cauterization]] of a bleeding vessel, widening a narrow esophagus, clipping off a polyp, or removing a foreign object.<ref name="mayoendo"/>

[[Specialty (medicine)|Specialty]] [[professional organizations]] that specialize in digestive problems advise that many patients with [[Barrett's esophagus]] receive endoscopies too frequently.<ref name="AGAfive">{{Citation|author1=American Gastroenterological Association |author1-link=American Gastroenterological Association |title=Five Things Physicians and Patients Should Question |publisher=[[American Gastroenterological Association]] |work=Choosing Wisely: an initiative of the [[ABIM Foundation]] |url=http://choosingwisely.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/5things_12_factsheet_AGA.pdf |access-date=August 17, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120809143636/http://choosingwisely.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/5things_12_factsheet_AGA.pdf |archive-date=August 9, 2012 }}</ref> Such societies recommend that patients with Barrett's esophagus and no cancer symptoms after two biopsies receive biopsies as indicated and no more often than the recommended rate.<ref name=pmid21376940>{{cite journal | vauthors = Spechler SJ, Sharma P, Souza RF, Inadomi JM, Shaheen NJ | title = American Gastroenterological Association medical position statement on the management of Barrett's esophagus | journal = Gastroenterology | volume = 140 | issue = 3 | pages = 1084–91 | date = March 2011 | pmid = 21376940 | doi = 10.1053/j.gastro.2011.01.030 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref name=pmid18341497>{{cite journal | vauthors = Wang KK, Sampliner RE | title = Updated guidelines 2008 for the diagnosis, surveillance and therapy of Barrett's esophagus | journal = The American Journal of Gastroenterology | volume = 103 | issue = 3 | pages = 788–97 | date = March 2008 | doi = 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2008.01835.x | pmid = 18341497 | s2cid = 8443847 | doi-access = free }}</ref>

===Applications===
[[File:Anoscope, proctoscope and rectoscope.svg|thumb|250px|An [[anoscope]], a [[proctoscope]], and a [[rectoscope]] with approximate lengths]]
[[File:US Navy 081117-N-7526R-568 Cmdr. Thomas Nelson and Lt. Robert Roadfuss discuss proper procedures while performing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery.jpg|thumb|250px|Endoscopy surgery]]
[[File:Esophageal Bougie Dilator.jpg|thumb|Esophageal Bougie Dilator]]
Health care providers can use endoscopy to review any of the following body parts:
* The [[Human gastrointestinal tract|gastrointestinal tract]] (GI tract):
** [[oesophagus]], [[stomach]] and [[duodenum]] ([[esophagogastroduodenoscopy]])
** [[small intestine]] ([[enteroscopy]])
** [[large intestine]]/[[colon (anatomy)|colon]] ([[colonoscopy]], [[sigmoidoscopy]])
** Magnification endoscopy
** [[bile duct]]
*** [[endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography]] (ERCP), duodenoscope-assisted cholangiopancreatoscopy, intraoperative cholangioscopy
** [[rectum]] (rectoscopy) and [[Human anus|anus]] ([[anoscopy]]), both also referred to as ([[proctoscopy]])
* The [[respiratory tract]]
** The [[human nose|nose]] ([[rhinoscopy]])
** The upper [[respiratory tract]] ([[laryngoscopy]])
** The lower [[respiratory tract]] ([[bronchoscopy]])
* The [[ear]] ([[otoscope]])
* The [[Urinary bladder]] ([[cystoscopy]])
** The [[Ureter]] ([[ureteroscopy]])
* The [[female reproductive system]] (gynoscopy)
** The [[cervix]] ([[colposcopy]])
** The [[uterus]] ([[hysteroscopy]])
** The [[fallopian tube]]s ([[falloposcopy]])
* Normally closed body cavities (through a small incision):
** The abdominal or pelvic cavity ([[laparoscopy]])
** The interior of a joint ([[arthroscopy]])
** Organs of the chest ([[thoracoscopy]] and [[mediastinoscopy]])

Endoscopy is used for many procedures:
* During [[pregnancy]]
** The [[amnion]] (amnioscopy)
** The [[fetus]] ([[fetoscopy]])
* [[Plastic surgery]]
* Panendoscopy (or triple endoscopy)
** Combines [[laryngoscopy]], [[Esophagogastroduodenoscopy|esophagoscopy]], and [[bronchoscopy]]
* [[Orthopedic surgery]]
** [[Hand surgery]], such as [[endoscopic carpal tunnel release]]
** [[Knee surgery]], such as [[anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction]]
** [[Epidural space]] (epiduroscopy)
** [[Bursa (anatomy)|Bursae]] ([[bursectomy]])
* [[Endodontic]] surgery
** [[Maxillary sinus]] surgery
** [[Apicoectomy]]
* [[Endoscopic endonasal surgery]]
* [[Endoscopic spinal surgery]]
* Endoscopic [[nerve decompression]] for [[Peripheral nervous system|peripheral nerves]]

An endoscopy is a simple procedure that allows a doctor to look inside human bodies using an instrument called an endoscope.  A cutting tool can be attached to the end of the endoscope, and the apparatus can then be used to perform minor procedures such as tissue biopsies, banding of oesophageal varices, or removal of polyps.