(VCE) an investigation for visualizing the intestinal lining (mucosa). A capsule containing a miniature digital video camera is swallowed by the patient and passively propelled through the intestine by peristalsis. The images are uploaded to a computer for subsequent analysis. Various capsules are available for investigation of oesophageal, small-intestinal, and colonic disorders. The commonest in use is the small-intestinal capsule, for investigation of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, recurrent iron-deficiency anaemia, or in cases of suspected Crohn’s disease, coeliac disease, or small-bowel tumours.
Examination of a body cavity – for example, PLEURAL CAVITY, GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT, BILE DUCT and URINARY BLADDER – using an ENDOSCOPE in order to diagnose or treat a disorder in the cavity. The development of endoscopy has reduced the need for major surgery, as many diagnostic procedures can be performed with an endoscope (as can MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY (MIS)). The development of ?bre optics (the transmission of light along bundles of glass or plastic ?bres) has greatly advanced the practice of endoscopy and hospitals now routinely run endoscopy clinics on an out-patient basis, often without the necessity for a general anaesthetic.... endoscopy
The thickening of the cuticular lining of buccal cavity; buccal capsule may be large, small, vestigial or absent. In some nematodes, the cuticle lining within the buccal capsule may be modified to be chitinous teeth or cutting plates as in Ancylostomatidae or a stylet as in Trichinelloidea.... buccal capsule
the cup-shaped end of a *nephron, which encloses a knot of blood capillaries (glomerulus). It is the site of primary filtration of the blood into the kidney tubule. [Sir W. P. Bowman (1816–92), British physician]... bowman’s capsule
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