glossary

gastroscope

Definition gastroscope

gastroscope

gastroscope n. an illuminated optical instrument used to inspect the interior of the stomach. For many years these were rigid or semi-rigid instruments affording only limited views, but modern fully flexible *fibreoptic instruments allow all areas of the stomach to be seen and photographed and specimens taken for microscopic examination. As the same instruments can usually be introduced into the duodenum they are also known as gastroduodenoscopes or oesophagogastroduodenoscopes. -gastroscopy