a procedure that uses an endoscope to examine and x-ray the pancreatic duct, hepatic duct, common bile duct, duodenal papilla, and gallbladder. an endoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. the endoscope is passed through the mouth and down into the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). a smaller tube (catheter) is then inserted through the endoscope into the bile and pancreatic ducts. a dye is injected through the catheter into the ducts, and an x-ray is taken. also called endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.