Gastroscopy

A gastroscopy is an examination of the oesophagus - which is also known as the gullet - the stomach, and the duodenum, which is the first section of the small intestine. It is carried out using a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope which is passed through the mouth and into the gullet.

A gastroscopy is useful for investigating the cause of symptoms or as a check-up for some gastrointestinal conditions. During the procedure a biopsy, or sample of the lining of the oesophagus, stomach or duodenum, can be taken for further analysis.