Endoscope and endoscope apparatus having piezoelectric element which swings a free end of an optical element through a joining member

An endoscope comprising:

• an elongated insertion portion inserted in a subject;
• an optical element which is inserted from a proximal end side to a distal end side of the insertion portion and irradiates the subject with illumination light;
• a joining member having an elongated column shape and at least one planar side face, the joining member holding the optical element in a cantilever-manner in a direction parallel to a longitudinal direction of the insertion portion such that a free end of the optical element extends from a distal end face of the joining member;
• and
• a piezoelectric element which swings the free end of the optical element,
• wherein an entirety of the joining member comprises a unitary piece of material, the joining member having a through-hole with a diameter based on a diameter of the optical element, the through hole being provided from a proximal end face to the distal end face of the joining member,
• the optical element is inserted in the through-hole and is in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the through-hole;
• and
• the piezoelectric element having a side face wholly arranged only on the at least one planar side face of the joining member, the planar side face being parallel to a longitudinal direction of the fiber.