ENDOSCOPY

Endoscopy is the insertion of a long, thin tube directly into the body to observe an internal organ or tissue in detail. Its purpose can be diagnostic or therapeutic. 
These procedures are minimally invasive and usually performed through natural body openings such as the mouth and anus, these cameras can also be inserted into small incisions.

Endoscopy can be used to investigate different body systems: 

• Gastrointestinal tract: 

-esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy, also known as OGD).

-small intestine (Enteroscopy).

-large intestine/colon (Flexible Sigmoidoscopy, also known as FOS, and Colonoscopy).

-liver, gall bladder, bile duct and pancreas (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography, ERCP) 

-rectum and anus (Rectoscopy, Anoscopy).

• Respiratory tract: nose (rhinoscopy), lower respiratory tract (bronchoscopy).
• Ear: otoscopy.
• Urinary tract: cystoscopy.
• Female reproductive tract (gynoscopy): Cervix (colposcopy), uterus (hysteroscopy), fallopian tubes (falloposcopy).
• Through a small incision: abdominal or pelvic cavity (laparoscopy, also known as keyhole surgery or minimally invasive surgery), interior of a joint (arthroscopy), organs of the chest (thoracoscopy and mediastinoscopy).

Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the digestive tract, the gallbladder, liver, bile ducts, and pancreas. Endoscopy is often used in this specialty to diagnose or treat different gastrointestinal conditions. It can help identify ulcers, bleeding, celiac disease, blockages, inflammation, and tumors, and find the cause of unexplained symptoms, such as heartburn, abdominal pain, weight loss, bleeding, nausea and vomiting.

Ultrasound or fluoroscopy are often used in conjunction with endoscopy for, but not limited to, detailed imaging of the digestive tract and adjacent organs, and management of therapeutic procedures such as removal of gallstones from the bile duct, stents and dilatations. 

Capsule Endoscopy

It's a type of endoscopy done using a wireless camera that fits inside a tiny, disposable capsule that can be swallowed. 

The camera takes several thousands of pictures or a video along its journey through the gastrointestinal tract, these pictures and images help detect and diagnose different conditions.  ‌

It is commonly used to view the small intestine which is difficult to access using a traditional endoscope. 

Sources:

-https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/153737

-https://www.digestivemed.com/blog/post/the-benefits-of-an-endoscopy.html

-https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/what-is-capsule-endoscopy

-https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/endoscopy