An endoscope is a rigid or flexible telescope used to look inside the body. It is inserted directly into the body part and is used to examine the interior of a hollow organ or cavity of the body. Endoscopy can involve:

• the gastrointestinal tract (oesophagus, stomach, colon, rectum)

• the respiratory tract (nose, trachea, bronchi)

• female reproductive tract (vagina, cervix, uterus)