Which procedure is specifically designed for viewing the internal structures of the abdomen?

Laparoscopy is designed specifically for viewing the internal structures of the abdomen. This minimally invasive surgical procedure involves the insertion of a laparoscope, a long, thin tube with a camera and light source, through small incisions in the abdominal wall. It allows physicians to view the abdominal organs and tissues on a monitor, facilitating diagnosis and treatment of various conditions without the need for a large abdominal incision.

Other procedures listed have different focuses: mediastinoscopy is used to examine the mediastinum, the space in the thoracic cavity between the lungs; gastroscopy is aimed at visualizing the stomach and upper part of the small intestine; and colonoscopy is specifically for examining the colon and rectum. Each of these procedures has its own specific anatomical target and purpose, making laparoscopy the appropriate choice for abdominal exploration.