Written and maintained by CASRAI Editorial Board
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Short answer: A bronchoscope is a tubular endoscopic device used to examine or treat the larynx and the tracheobronchial tree. In clinical use there are two main types, flexible and rigid, and flexible scopes include specialised variants such as ultrathin and endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) scopes. The FDA regulation (21 CFR 874.4680) names four generic types: rigid ventilating, rigid nonventilating, nonrigid and laryngeal-bronchial telescope.
General product and regulatory information only. This page is not medical advice and does not describe how any procedure is performed.
Definition and scope
The U.S. regulation 21 CFR 874.4680 defines a bronchoscope (flexible or rigid) and accessories as a tubular endoscopic device, with a group of accessory devices that attach to it, intended to examine or treat the larynx and tracheobronchial tree. It states the device is typically used with a fiberoptic light source and carrier for illumination, and that it is made of materials such as stainless steel or flexible plastic. The light source and carrier are excluded from the regulated generic type. The device is Class II, and the FDA classification database lists it under product code EOQ (review panel: Ear, Nose, Throat).
For the broader family this device belongs to, see what an endoscope is. For the single-use versus reusable question, see disposable bronchoscopes.
Rigid and flexible bronchoscopes in practice
Rigid bronchoscopy was first described in 1897, when Gustav Killian used it to remove a pork bone. A review in BJA Education (2026) reports that Shigeto Ikeda later developed the first modern flexible, fibreoptic bronchoscope. Flexible bronchoscopes are the other main type and are available in a range of diameters.
Flexible variants: ultrathin and EBUS
The BJA Education review gives flexible bronchoscope diameters of 2.8 to 6.3 mm. It states that ultrathin versions can reach as far as the fifth generation of the bronchotracheal tree for biopsy of peripheral lung lesions. An EBUS scope is a flexible bronchoscope with a built-in ultrasound probe; the review notes it has a larger tip than the fibreoptic scope (6.9 mm) with an angulated forward view.
Comparison: rigid, flexible and EBUS flexible
| Type | What the sources say | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rigid | Rigid tube design; first described 1897 | BJA Education 2026 |
| Flexible (fibreoptic) | Diameters 2.8 to 6.3 mm; ultrathin versions reach the fifth generation of the bronchotracheal tree | BJA Education 2026 |
| Flexible with EBUS probe | Built-in ultrasound probe; 6.9 mm tip; angulated forward view | BJA Education 2026 |
The four FDA generic types and how they map to clinical names
The regulation lists these generic types and accessories. The mapping to clinical usage below is an editorial interpretation, not regulatory text.
| Name in 21 CFR 874.4680 | Plain-language reading (editorial) |
|---|---|
| Rigid ventilating bronchoscope | A rigid type; the regulation does not define “ventilating” further in the text |
| Rigid nonventilating bronchoscope | A rigid type |
| Nonrigid bronchoscope | What clinicians usually call a flexible bronchoscope |
| Laryngeal-bronchial telescope | A fourth generic type named in the regulation |
The same paragraph lists accessories that belong to the generic type: flexible foreign body claw, bronchoscope tubing, flexible biopsy forceps, flexible biopsy brush, flexible biopsy curette, rigid biopsy forceps, rigid biopsy curette and rigid bronchoscope aspirating tube.
Where it matters for labs, clinics and supply decisions
Supply catalogues and regulatory records use different vocabularies. A checklist that follows from the sources above:
- A record or listing that says “nonrigid” and one that says “flexible” describe the same broad category (editorial interpretation).
- The FDA product code EOQ and regulation number 874.4680 are the identifiers to search in FDA databases for this device type.
- The fiberoptic light source and carrier are excluded from the generic type, so a light source is not part of the regulated bronchoscope definition.
- The classification record states that reusable devices and reprocessed devices require validated reprocessing instructions and validation data in a 510(k) submission. For background on the pathway, see FDA 510(k) premarket notification and FDA device classification.
Common misunderstandings
- “Flexible” is the regulatory term. It is not; the regulation says “nonrigid”.
- The light source is part of the bronchoscope. The regulation excludes the fiberoptic light source and carrier from the generic type.
- Every flexible scope has the same diameter. The reported range is 2.8 to 6.3 mm, and an EBUS scope has a 6.9 mm tip.
FAQ
What are the types of bronchoscope?
Clinically, rigid and flexible, with ultrathin and EBUS variants of the flexible type. In 21 CFR 874.4680 the generic types are rigid ventilating, rigid nonventilating, nonrigid and laryngeal-bronchial telescope.
What are bronchoscope sizes?
One 2026 review reports flexible bronchoscope diameters of 2.8 to 6.3 mm and a 6.9 mm tip for an EBUS scope. The regulation does not set a size scale for the device.
Is there a bronchoscope size chart?
Neither 21 CFR 874.4680 nor the FDA classification record contains a size chart. Specific dimensions are set by each manufacturer for each model.
What are the parts of a bronchoscope?
The regulation describes the device as a tubular endoscopic device with attachable accessories, and lists accessories such as biopsy forceps, brushes, curettes, a foreign body claw, tubing and a rigid aspirating tube. The illumination source is excluded from the generic type.
Sources
- 21 CFR 874.4680, Bronchoscope (flexible or rigid) and accessories, Legal Information Institute, checked 31 October 2026.
- openFDA device classification, product code EOQ, dataset updated 19 October 2026, checked 31 October 2026.
- Stretch B. et al., Anaesthesia for diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy, BJA Education, 2026 (PMC13589902), checked 31 October 2026.
