A power transmission apparatus for an electric bending endoscope includes an actuating member (52a, 52b 104a, 104b) switchable between a connection position to bring a clutch mechanism (50a, 50b) into a connection state and a release position to bring the clutch mechanism (50a, 50b) into a release state, the actuating member (52a, 52b 104a, 104b) being interlocked with the clutch mechanism (50a, 50b), an electric drive mechanism (54a, 54b) being interlocked with the actuating member (52a, 52b 104a, 104b), and a manual drive mechanism (108a, 110a, 118a, 108b, 110b, 118b 104a, 110a, 138a) including an operation member (118a, 118b 138a) manually switchable to at least one of a connection drive position to bring the actuating member (52a, 52b 104a, 104b) into the connection position and a release drive position to bring the actuating member (52a, 52b 104a, 104b) into the release position, and a selective actuation transmission mechanism (108a, 110a, 108b, 110b 104a, 110a) provided between the operation member (118a, 118b 138a) and the actuating member (52a, 52b 104a, 104b) and to transmit the actuation of the operation member (118a, 118b 138a) to the actuating member (52a, 52b 104a, 104b) and absorb the actuation of the actuating member (52a, 52b 104a, 104b) without transmitting the actuation to the operation member (118a, 118b 138a).
