(HealthDay News) -- An endoscope is a small, flexible tube with a camera on one end. The device -- inserted surgically or through the mouth or anus -- is used to examine various parts of the body, including the joints, lungs, bladder, digestive tract and appendix, for example.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine says that some types of endoscopy require special preparation, such as clearing the stomach or bowels. A doctor may require that you not eat or drink anything before the procedure, or that you take laxatives.

People having an endoscopy normally are sedated to minimize pain and discomfort.