A spectral image obtainment unit obtains spectral image data by receiving
reflection light in different wavelength bands, into which light
reflected by a living body mucous membrane has been separated, at a light
receiving unit by causing a ratio of a light receiving level in a short
wavelength band with respect to a light receiving level in a long
wavelength band to be greater than a ratio of spectral reflectance in the
short wavelength band at the living body mucous membrane with respect to
spectral reflectance in the long wavelength band thereat. A spectral
image data operation unit performs a spectral image estimation operation
by correcting the value of the spectral image data to that of spectral
image data obtained by receiving light without causing the ratio to
increase. Accordingly, a diagnostic spectral image of the living body
mucous membrane is obtained in an electronic endoscopic apparatus.