The endoscopic instrument (10) has a head unit (12) having a distal tip portion (36) for penetrating tissue, and a jaw portion (24) with a tissue engaging formation for removing a biopsy specimen. The jaw part is pivoted from an idle position in direction of distal tip portion and back. The tissue engaging formation is essentially oriented away from distal tip portion in operating position. A fluid channel area (76) is opened towards the surrounding area in the region of head unit through a channel opening that is provided in jaw portion, when jaw portion is in idle position.
