What does esophagogastroduodenoscopy examine?

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is a medical procedure that allows a physician to visually examine the interior of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, which is the first part of the small intestine. This procedure is commonly performed using a thin, flexible tube with a camera and light source, known as an endoscope. It enables doctors to diagnose conditions such as inflammation, ulcers, tumors, or other abnormalities in these digestive tract structures.

The term “esophagogastroduodenoscopy” itself is derived from the anatomical areas it investigates: "esophago" refers to the esophagus, "gastro" refers to the stomach, and "duodeno" refers to the duodenum. This clear linkage is key to why this option is the most accurate among the choices provided. The other options pertain to different organs or systems—such as the heart and blood vessels, which relate to cardiology; or the liver and pancreas, which are part of the hepatobiliary system—but they do not encompass the scope of the esophagogastroduodenoscopy procedure.