An endoscope is a lighted, flexible equipment that is used to examine the inside of the body. Although additional organs can be examined during endoscopy, the most frequent endoscopic procedures check the esophagus, stomach, and parts of the intestine. Endoscopes are used in many health care practices including internal medicine, general surgery, gastroenterology (GI), pulmonary medicine (PM), and others. They provide patients with many benefits including less invasive testing for diseases such as esophageal cancer and gastric ulcers. Endoscopes help doctors diagnose disease by allowing them to see the inside of the body without cutting open patients. There are two main types of endoscopes: rigid and flexible. Rigid endoscopes have enough strength to push their way through tissue so that they can reach areas of the body that would otherwise be inaccessible. These devices are used to examine the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. Flexible endoscopes are more delicate and can be bent around corners or through bodily openings to allow viewing of the upper respiratory tract, abdominal cavity, and other restricted areas. They are used to examine the esophagus, stomach, and large intestine. Flexible endoscopes are also useful in screening tests where only part of the body is accessible.