An instrument (203； 204) for endoscopic applications. The instrument is able to be guided through a curved shaped tube (201； 202) and has an intermediate cylindrical element (3) with a handling end portion with a flexible portion and actuating means located at an actuating end portion. The intermediate cylindrical element (3) has a first cylindrical part (31； 151) at the handling end portion, a second cylindrical part (35； 155) at the actuating end portion and a number of longitudinal elements (38； 60； 70； 80； 90； 100； 110； 130； 153) for transferring the movement of the actuating means to the handling end portion. The longitudinal elements are separated by longitudinal slits in the intermediate cylindrical element.
