What is the definition or description of: mediastinoscopy?

View of mediastinum: The suffix -oscopy means to visualize through a scope. The mediastinum is the area of the chest between the lungs. The heart, great vessels, trachea, esophagus , thymus , lymphatics and lymph nodes are all part of the mediastinum. A small incision in the neck and a scope is passed along the outside of the trachea into the mediastinum. This is done for lymphnode biopsy.

Simple: This is a surgical procedure where a small incision at the base of the neck is made and a small scope is passed along the front of the trachea to biopsy lymph nodes.