What does laparoscope mean?
A laparoscope is a medical instrument used to see inside the abdomen. A surgeon passes it through a small incision in the abdominal wall, then uses its light source and imaging system to examine organs such as the gallbladder, appendix, or liver. It may also carry instruments through additional channels so that procedures can be carried out without a large open incision. The technique is commonly called laparoscopy, while operations performed this way are described as laparoscopic. The term is associated with minimally invasive surgery, although a laparoscope is also used diagnostically to investigate unexplained abdominal pain or other internal conditions. Its name combines a term associated with the flank or abdomen with the Greek skopos, meaning an instrument for viewing, and it belongs to a family of scientific and medical instruments including the microscope and telescope.
nounA thin, usually rigid medical instrument inserted through a small incision in the abdomen to examine internal organs or, with appropriate channels and attachments, to perform surgery. It is fitted with a light source and an optical system that transmits an image to a monitor.
- A medical viewing instrument inserted through the abdominal wall to examine internal organs or guide minimally invasive surgery.
"The surgeon inserted a laparoscope through a small incision to examine the patient's abdominal cavity."
"The laparoscope revealed a small tear in the lining of the stomach."
"Most of the procedure was completed laparoscopically, without a large open incision."
The plural is used when referring to multiple instruments or to different types of laparoscope.
"The operating room was equipped with several laparoscopes of different sizes."
A laparoscope turns a tiny incision into a window onto the abdomen, allowing many operations to be performed through keyhole-sized openings.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does laparoscope come from?
Laparoscope was formed in the early 20th century from lapar-, associated with the abdomen or flank and ultimately derived from Greek lapāron, meaning the belly or abdomen, together with Greek skopēr, meaning an instrument for viewing. Its final element belongs to the same Greek family as microscope, telescope, and stethoscope. The word developed alongside the technique of examining and operating through the abdominal wall with optical instruments.
Related word forms
How laparoscope is actually used
This is a specialist medical term. It is normally used in clinical or surgical contexts, and the spelling laparoscope is standard in British and American English.
Easily confused with laparoscope
A laparoscope is the instrument, whereas laparoscopy is the medical procedure performed with it.
A laparoscope is an endoscope specifically designed for examination or treatment within the abdominal cavity.