Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffEndoscopy is a procedure used to visually examine your upper digestive system with a tiny camera on the end of a long, flexible tube. A doctor who specializes in diseases of the digestive system (gastroenterologist) uses endoscopy to diagnose and, sometimes, treat conditions that affect the esophagus, stomach and beginning of the small intestine (duodenum).
Doctors often refer to endoscopy as esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) or upper endoscopy. Endoscopy may be done in your doctor's office, an outpatient surgery center or a hospital.
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