<；P>；PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope that prevents both the occurrence of what is called a piece drop phenomenon where adjacent pieces turn together after going far beyond their prescribed curve angle and the breakdown of the contents of pieces. <；P>；SOLUTION: An endoscope 1 is equipped with an operation part 3 connected with the base end of an insertion part 2 to be inserted into the body cavity, and a curved part 9 at the leading end of the insertion part 2, formed from a plurality of curved pieces 11 connected in series axially in the insertion part 2. The endoscope 1 is characterized in that protrusions 16, 17 are provided at least at the ends of adjacent pieces 11, located on the axis in the bending direction of the curved part 11 and protruding inwardly from these pieces, and that these protrusions 16, 17 differ in shape from each other. <；P>；COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT
