A microendoscope with a distal probe tip which has, in particular, a
diameter of up to approximately 1 mm is provided and inside of which an
optical subassembly at least provided with a micro-objective and with an
image transmitting element is accommodated. An image transmitting system
is connected to the optical subassembly. An image-enlarging coupling
element is provided between the optical subassembly of the probe tip and
the image transmitting system connected thereto. The image transmitting
system connected to the coupling element has a larger active diameter
than the optical subassembly that is provided with the distal objective.
As a result, the distal probe tip on a handgrip has the necessary small
working diameter over the entire working length, and at the beginning or
inside the handgrip, the optical coupling element is coupled to an image
guide or to an image transmitting system or the like having a higher
pixel count and thus a larger active diameter and, therefore, a larger
outside diameter.