US Medical Term · tests
Bronchoscopy
Broncoscopía
Also: Broncoscopia (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Bronchoscopy |
| Spanish (Español) | Broncoscopía |
| Chinese (中文) | 支氣管鏡檢查 |
| Korean (한국어) | 기관지 내시경 검사 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Nội soi phế quản |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Bronchoscopy |
| Portuguese (Português) | Broncoscopia |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | การส่องกล้องหลอดลม |
| Japanese (日本語) | 気管支鏡検査 |
What it means
A bronchoscopy allows a doctor to look directly inside the airways of your lungs using a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera called a bronchoscope. It is passed through your nose or mouth, down your throat, and into the airways. You will receive a sedative and a local anesthetic spray to numb your throat. You may feel pressure or the urge to cough during the procedure. It usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. Bronchoscopy is used to diagnose lung infections, investigate persistent cough or coughing up blood, take tissue biopsies, or remove foreign objects. You must fast for several hours beforehand. Afterward, your throat may feel sore and you will need a ride home due to sedation.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
Will the bronchoscopy hurt, and how long will my throat be sore afterward?
¿Dolerá la broncoscopía y cuánto tiempo tendré la garganta adolorida después?
Is it normal to cough up a small amount of blood after a bronchoscopy?
¿Es normal toser un poco de sangre después de una broncoscopía?
Will I be fully sedated or just awake and numb for the bronchoscopy?
¿Estaré completamente sedado o solo despierto y adormecido para la broncoscopía?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026