What is a rigid bronchoscopy?
A rigid bronchoscopy (brong-KOS-ko-pe) is a procedure to look inside the different parts of the respiratory system. Caregivers use a bronchoscope, which is a rigid (hard) tube with a light and tiny camera on the end. A rigid bronchoscope takes pictures of the inside of the airways that may be seen on a TV-like screen. The respiratory system is made up of the nose, larynx (voice box), trachea (air pipe), bronchial tubes, and lungs. When air is breathed in, it goes through the nose and mouth. The air then goes to the larynx and then through the trachea. From the trachea, air passes through the bronchial tubes and into the lungs. The air is exchanged for carbon dioxide in the air sacs of the lungs. Why may a rigid bronchoscopy be needed? • In a rigid bronchoscopy, diseases and other problems that affect the airways and lungs may be found. These conditions may include causes of cough, troubled breathing, or blood in the sputum (spit). Your caregiver may also check for cancer, inflammation
