What medical instrument allows a surgeon to view inside the body?

A laparoscope is a specialized medical instrument used in minimally invasive surgery to allow surgeons to view the inside of the abdominal cavity. It is equipped with a light and camera, which transmits images to a monitor, enabling the surgeon to see internal organs without making large incisions. This technique is part of laparoscopic surgery, which generally results in less pain, shorter recovery times, and reduced risk of infection compared to open surgical procedures.

While an endoscope can also be used to view the inside of various body organs, including the gastrointestinal tract, it is not the specific term used for abdominal visuals. A stethoscope is primarily used for listening to heart and lung sounds and does not provide visual access to the body. An X-ray machine allows for the imaging of bones and certain tissues but is not an instrument that directly allows for visualization inside the body during surgical procedures. Thus, the laparoscope is the most appropriate choice for viewing inside the body during surgery.