A short history of gastrointestinal endoscopy

The word "endoscopy" is derived from the Greek by combining the prefix "endo" meaning "within" and the verb "skopein", "to view or observe". The result is an adequate term for the procedure of peering into the recesses of the living body. But "skopein" means not merely to look at something, but rather to view with a purpose, to observe with intent and to monitor. The ancient Greek had no equivalent for "endoscopy", but being wise, they would have understood its modern meaning and likely would have admired its choice. Medical technology, though in the beginning primitive but none-the-less innovative, is as old as mankind. The splints found on the legs of Egyptian mummies from the Old Kingdom (400 B.C.) are examples of pre-historic medical technology that serves to emphasise that medical technology has always been with the Homo sapiens.