The present invention relates to an endoscopic instrument for retrograde biopsy, in particular synovial biopsy, comprising a head unit (12) having a distal tip portion (36) for penetrating tissue, a jaw part (24) with a tissue engaging formation (38) for removing the biopsy specimen, the jaw part (24) being pivotable from an idle position to an operating position in the direction of the distal tip portion (36) and back, wherein the tissue engaging formation (38) is essentially oriented away from the distal tip portion (36) in the operating position, as well as a first fluid channel area (76) open to the surrounding area in the region of the head unit (12), wherein the first fluid channel area (76) is at least open to the surrounding area via at least one channel opening (78) provided in the jaw part (24), when the jaw part (24) is in idle position.
