An apparatus comprising: (a) a body; (b) a shaft extending from the body; and (c) an end effector in communication with the shaft, wherein the end effector is configured to compress and staple tissue, wherein the end effector comprises: (i) an anvil , wherein the anvil comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the proximal portion extends along a plane, wherein the distal portion does not extend along the plane, and (ii) a cartridge , wherein the cartridge defines a longitudinal axis (LA), wherein the cartridge has an upper tapered surface and lower tapered surface , wherein the upper tapered surface is non-parallel with the longitudinal axis, wherein the lower tapered surface is non-parallel with the longitudinal axis, wherein the upper tapered surface is non-parallel with the lower tapered surface, wherein the upper and lower tapered surfaces of the cartridge extend toward a location proximate to the distal portion of the anvil, wherein the upper tapered surface and the lower tapered surface lead to the distal most end of the cartridge, wherein the distal portion of the anvil complements the upper tapered surface of the cartridge, wherein the anvil comprises a distal tip , wherein the lower tapered surface defines a sight line that extends to the distal tip. (a) a body; (b) a shaft extending from the body; and (c) an end effector in communication with the shaft, wherein the end effector is configured to compress and staple tissue, wherein the end effector comprises: (i) an anvil , wherein the anvil comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the proximal portion extends along a plane, wherein the distal portion does not extend along the plane, and (ii) a cartridge , wherein the cartridge defines a longitudinal axis (LA), wherein the cartridge has an upper tapered surface and lower tapered surface , wherein the upper tapered surface is non-parallel with the longitudinal axis, wherein the lower tapered surface is non-parallel with the longitudinal axis, wherein the upper tapered surface is non-parallel with the lower tapered surface, wherein the upper and lower tapered surfaces of the cartridge extend toward a location proximate to the distal portion of the anvil, wherein the upper tapered surface and the lower tapered surface lead to the distal most end of the cartridge, wherein the distal portion of the anvil complements the upper tapered surface of the cartridge, wherein the anvil comprises a distal tip , wherein the lower tapered surface defines a sight line that extends to the distal tip. (i) an anvil , wherein the anvil comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the proximal portion extends along a plane, wherein the distal portion does not extend along the plane, and (ii) a cartridge , wherein the cartridge defines a longitudinal axis (LA), wherein the cartridge has an upper tapered surface and lower tapered surface , wherein the upper tapered surface is non-parallel with the longitudinal axis, wherein the lower tapered surface is non-parallel with the longitudinal axis, wherein the upper tapered surface is non-parallel with the lower tapered surface, wherein the upper and lower tapered surfaces of the cartridge extend toward a location proximate to the distal portion of the anvil, wherein the upper tapered surface and the lower tapered surface lead to the distal most end of the cartridge, wherein the distal portion of the anvil complements the upper tapered surface of the cartridge, wherein the anvil comprises a distal tip , wherein the lower tapered surface defines a sight line that extends to the distal tip. <EOS>