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Bronchoscopy

Bronchoscopy

Overview

A bronchoscope is a tube with a tiny camera on the end which is inserted through the nose (or mouth) into the lungs. During a bronchoscopy procedure, a scope will be inserted through the nostril until it passes through the throat into the trachea and bronchi. A bronchoscope is used to provide a view of the airways of the lung (tracheobronchial tree). The scope also allows the doctor to collect lung secretions and lung tissue for biopsy for tissue specimens.

Review Date 5/3/2024

Updated by: Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, VA New Jersey Health Care System, Clinical Assistant Professor, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.