Electronic type endoscope in which image pickup unit is dismounted to execute disinfection/sterilization processing

An electronic type endoscope comprising:

• an endoscope body having an elongated inserting section;
• illuminating-light projection means for projecting an illuminating light from a distal end portion of said inserting section;
• an objective optical system provided at the distal end portion of said inserting section for imaging a subject illuminated by said illuminating light;
• an image pickup unit provided with an image pickup element for photoelectrically transferring an optical image based on said objective optical system, to generate an image pickup signal;
• a pickup unit receiving body which receives and fully encloses said image pickup unit including a first detaching means located on a distal end of said pickup unit receiving body for detachably mounting said pickup unit receiving body on said endoscope body;
• and
• a second detaching means for detaching said image pickup unit from said pickup unit receiving body, said second detaching means being located on a proximal end of said pickup unit receiving body wherein said image pickup unit is detachable from said pickup unit receiving body via said second detaching means while said pickup unit receiving body is mounted on said endoscope body,
• wherein said second detaching means forms a portion of an outer surface of said proximal end of said pickup unit receiving body when attached to said pickup unit receiving body.