Endoscopy is a minimally invasive medical procedure that allows doctors to examine the inside of the body using a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera attached, called an endoscope. It is most often used to evaluate the digestive tract—such as the esophagus, stomach, and colon—but can also be performed in the respiratory system, urinary tract, and joints depending on the type of scope used.

Endoscopy plays an important role in diagnosing conditions like ulcers, bleeding, inflammation, tumors, and infections, while also allowing for tissue biopsies or removal of abnormal growths. In many cases, it is also used therapeutically, such as stopping internal bleeding, widening narrowed passages, or removing polyps. Because it usually requires only small incisions or none at all, endoscopy often results in less pain, quicker recovery times, and fewer risks compared to traditional surgery, making it a vital tool in modern medicine.