Upper endoscopy, or commonly referred to as esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), is a procedure in which we examine the lining of your upper gastrointestinal tract, more specifically your esophagus, stomach and duodenum, which is the first portion of the small intestine. We use a device called endoscope, which is a flexible, thin tube with a camera and a light source that allows us to see images of your upper digestive tract on a video monitor. During the procedure we carefully inspect the upper part of your gastrointestinal tract and, if biopsies (tissue samples) are needed, they can be taken during the procedure to help us diagnose and treat your symptoms. You will be under sedation for this procedure. Please refer to the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy website for a more detailed explanation. Understanding Upper Endoscopy