The EGD medical abbreviation stands for esophagogastroduodenoscopy, an exam that uses a thin, flexible camera passed through the mouth to look at the esophagus, the stomach and the duodenum, where the small intestine begins. Most people simply call it an upper endoscopy or an upper scope.
The long word is a good one to take apart, because it lists every organ the scope visits in order. You will see EGD on referral letters, procedure schedules, prep instructions and pathology results. This page covers the word roots, the usual flow of the exam day, a sample report, and the procedures EGD gets confused with.
At a glance
Stands for
EsophagogastroduodenoscopyAlso called
Upper endoscopy, upper GI endoscopy, upper scopeWord roots
Esophag/o + gastr/o + duoden/o + -scopy (looking with an instrument)Specialty
Gastroenterology, some general surgeonsUsually done with
Sedation, after a period of fastingCompare with
Do not confuse with
Upper GI series, a barium x-ray with no scope
Taking apart the EGD medical abbreviation
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is built from four word parts, and each letter in EGD points to one of them.
| Part | Meaning | Letter in EGD |
|---|---|---|
| esophag/o | Esophagus, the food pipe | E |
| gastr/o | Stomach | G |
| duoden/o | Duodenum, start of the small intestine | D |
| -scopy | Viewing with a scope | (the procedure itself) |
Terminology students can reuse these parts: gastritis is stomach inflammation, and duodenal ulcer is a sore in the duodenum. The suffix -scopy also appears in colonoscopy and bronchoscopy.
Why an upper endoscopy is ordered
Doctors order an EGD to look for the cause of symptoms or to check on a known condition. Common reasons include heartburn that does not settle, trouble swallowing, upper belly pain, signs of an upper GI bleed such as vomiting blood or passing black stools, unexplained low iron, and screening for Barrett esophagus or swollen veins in people with liver disease.
The scope can also treat problems during the same exam. Doctors can take small tissue samples (biopsies), stretch a narrowed esophagus, remove a stuck piece of food, place bands on bleeding veins, or treat a bleeding ulcer. A feeding tube known as a PEG is also placed with the help of an endoscope.
What the day of the test is usually like
Prep for an EGD is lighter than for a colonoscopy. People are typically asked not to eat for several hours beforehand so the stomach is empty and the view is clear, and they may be asked about blood thinners and diabetes medicines ahead of time. The exact fasting window comes from the endoscopy unit.
Most people receive sedation through an IV and may get a throat numbing spray. A mouth guard protects the teeth and the scope. The exam itself often takes about 10 to 20 minutes. Because of the sedation, people usually need someone to drive them home. A mild sore throat or bloating afterward is common.
Reading an EGD report
Reports list each area the scope passed, the findings, and any samples taken. Pathology results for biopsies usually come back days later.
| Text | Meaning |
|---|---|
| EGD w/ bx | Upper endoscopy with biopsy |
| LA grade B esophagitis | Inflammation of the esophagus, graded on a standard reflux scale |
| Small hiatal hernia | Part of the stomach slides up through the diaphragm |
| H. pylori bx pending | Samples sent to check for a common stomach bacterium |
Patient portal note: "Your EGD showed mild gastritis. Biopsies are normal. Continue the PPI as prescribed." The stomach lining was a little inflamed, the samples showed nothing worrying, and the acid reducing PPI on the plan stays in place.
EGD medical abbreviation versus look-alike procedures
Several digestive tests use scopes or x-ray, and their names are easy to blur together.
| Test | How it works | Main area |
|---|---|---|
| EGD | Camera scope through the mouth | Esophagus, stomach, duodenum |
| EUS | Scope with an ultrasound probe on the tip | Wall layers, pancreas, nearby lymph nodes |
| ERCP | Side viewing scope plus x-ray dye | Bile and pancreatic ducts |
| Upper GI series | Barium drink and x-rays | Outline of the upper tract, no camera |
A colonoscopy is the matching exam from the other end of the gut and looks at the large intestine instead.
Questions worth asking before an EGD
- How long should I fast, and can I take my morning medicines?
- Do any blood thinners or diabetes medicines need adjusting, and who decides?
- Will biopsies be taken, and how will I get the results?
- What symptoms after the test should prompt a call?
For other operation, scope and procedure terms, see the surgical abbreviations hub.
Preparation steps for endoscopy vary by unit and by the medicines a person takes. Your gastroenterology team will give the instructions that apply to you.
Frequently asked questions
What does EGD stand for?
It stands for esophagogastroduodenoscopy, an exam that looks at the esophagus, stomach and duodenum with a flexible camera. Most people call it an upper endoscopy.
Is an EGD the same as an endoscopy?
An EGD is one kind of endoscopy. Endoscopy is the general word for looking inside the body with a scope, while EGD specifically means the upper digestive tract.
Are you asleep for an EGD?
Most people receive sedation and feel drowsy or fall asleep, and many do not remember the exam. Some units use deeper anesthesia. The type is chosen by the care team.
Is an EGD the same as an upper GI?
Not quite. An EGD uses a camera, while an upper GI series is an x-ray test after drinking barium. People sometimes use upper GI loosely for both, so check which one is planned.