What procedure involves a visual examination of the stomach using a gastroscope?

Gastroscopy is the correct term for the procedure that involves a visual examination of the stomach using a gastroscope, which is a specialized endoscope designed for this purpose. During a gastroscopy, the gastroscope is inserted through the mouth and down the esophagus into the stomach, allowing the physician to directly visualize the lining of the stomach, identify abnormalities, and possibly perform biopsies if needed.

The other procedures, while related to endoscopic techniques, target different areas of the gastrointestinal tract. Endoscopy is a broader term that refers to the examination of any internal organ using an endoscope, but it does not specifically refer to the stomach alone. Sigmoidoscopy focuses on examining the lower part of the colon (the sigmoid colon) and is not intended for stomach examination. Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to visualize the abdominal cavity but does not involve the use of a gastroscope for examining the stomach. Thus, gastroscopy is the specific and correct procedure for examining the stomach directly.