Distal end part of endoscope

A distal end part of forward view type endoscope having an objective optical system arranged to face forwardly in a distal end block, and a solid state imaging device disposed in said distal end block at a position where an observed image is formed by said objective optical system, comprising:

• a light guide fiber bundle, positioned adjacent a periphery of said distal end block, for illuminating an observation field of view of said objective optical system;
• a bore that is provided in said distal end block with an angle of inclination, so that said bore approaches an optical axis of said objective optical system at a forward end thereof;
• a straight pipe, shorter than said objective optical system, which is inserted into said bore and rigidly secured thereto, said straight pipe receiving an exit end portion of said light guide fiber bundle;
• and
• an illuminating lens, having a diameter which is larger than a diameter of said bore, said illuminating lens disposed in a forward end face of said distal end block at a position facing an exit end face of said light guide fiber bundle in order to enlarge a divergence angle of illuminating light emitted from said light guide fiber bundle, whereby said illuminating lens can be positioned at a forward end face of said distal end block such that said illuminating lens does not protrude out of the periphery of said distal end block.