An endoscopic bioptome jaw assembly has at least thee jaws. In one embodiment the assembly includes at least three distally extending resilient arms. Each of the resilient arms terminates in a jaw which includes a substantially hollow distal jaw cup. The resilient arms are bent to urge each jaw away from the other. Each jaw cup has at its distal end at least one end tooth having a cutting edge. An endoscopic bioptome includes a tubular member having a displaceable wire extending therethrough. The proximal ends of the tubular member and wire are coupled to a manual actuation means for axially displacing the flexible member relative to the wire. The distal end of the tubular member is coupled to either a cylinder having a distal edge or to the base of the jaw assembly. The distal end of the wire is coupled to the other of the cylinder or the jaw assembly. Axial movement of one of the jaw assembly or cylinder relative to the other draws the arms into the cylinder or moves the cylinder over the arms to bring the jaw cups together in a biting action. When in a closed position the jaw cups form to a 360.degree. hemispherical cup. In another embodiment, the jaw assembly includes at least three substantially rigid jaws coupled to a clevis having at least three radial slots and coupled to a push rod by hinged links.