How are stents typically placed in the body?

Stents are typically placed in the body through catheterization, which involves the insertion of a thin, flexible tube called a catheter into a blood vessel. This minimally invasive procedure allows medical professionals to navigate to the site of a blockage, often in the coronary arteries or other vessels. Once the catheter is in place, the stent, which is usually mounted on a balloon, can be positioned at the targeted site. The balloon is then inflated to expand the stent, which provides support to maintain the vessel's patency and ensure proper blood flow.

Using endoscopy refers to accessing internal structures with a long, flexible tube equipped with a camera and light; while it is a useful technique in many medical scenarios, it is not the primary method for placing stents, particularly those used in vascular interventions. Surgical incision involves making a cut to access internal organs or structures, which is a more invasive approach and not typically required for stent placement in vascular procedures. Injection is not a method used for stent placement, as stents are physical devices that need to be delivered and deployed within a vessel rather than being injected.