A shank for a flexible endoscope or a flexible endoscopic instrument includes a first shank portion and, arranged in the distal direction from the first shank portion, a second shank portion, wherein the second shank portion can be angled relative to a distal end area of the first shank portion by a longitudinal adjustment of at least one tensioning means extending inside the second shank portion, and wherein at least one cord drive is provided for the longitudinal adjustment of the tensioning means. In this way, a shank for a flexible endoscope or a flexible endoscopic instrument is created which is of simple and robust construction and which can be produced inexpensively. The invention also relates to a flexible endoscope and a flexible endoscopic instrument.