<；P>；PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope capable of preventing the reflection of the shadow of forceps in an image. <；P>；SOLUTION: This endoscope 100 is provided with an insertion section 31 to be inserted in a subject, an imaging optical system disposed with an observation window at the distal end of the insertion section 31, an illumination optical system disposed with a light illumination window at the distal end of the insertion section 31, and a forceps opening formed at the distal end of the insertion section 31, wherein an auxiliary illumination means is provided along the outer circumference of the forceps opening at least in one portion of the circumferential section of the forceps opening in the opposite side of the light illumination window side. The one section of the forceps opening in the opposite side of the light illumination window side is defined as a region corresponding to the position of a shadow of the light from the illumination optical system generated by a treatment instrument projecting from the forceps opening. The illumination optical system has a light source and a light guide fiber bundle, while the auxiliary illumination means is disposed with a light emission end formed by branching a part of the light guide fiber bundle of the illumination optical system, along the outer circumference of the forceps opening. <；P>；COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT
