A bending section for an endoscope

An endoscope comprising:

• a bending section including:
• segments and first hinges disposed on a hinge plane perpendicular to a bending plane of the bending section and connecting adjacent of the segments;
• a passage extending through the segments and positioned adjacent the first hinges;
• and
• a rib extending inwardly in the hinge plane and extending longitudinally through the segments, the rib formed in one piece with the segments and the first hinges and positioned adjacent the passage opposite the first hinges, the rib defining second hinges between adjacent of the segments.

An endoscope comprising:

• a bending section including:
• segments;
• a peripheral wall, portions of the peripheral wall defining first hinges disposed on a hinge plane perpendicular to a bending plane of the bending section and connecting adjacent of the segments;
• a rib extending inwardly from the peripheral wall in the hinge plane and extending longitudinally through the segments, the rib formed in one piece with the segments and the first hinges opposite the first hinges, the rib defining second hinges between adjacent of the segments.