Pathology of Upper GI Tract

Question 1

What is the pathology of oesophageal reflux?

Answer 1

Thickening of squamous epithelium

Ulceration of oesophagus

Question 2

What are the pathological complications of oesophageal reflux?

Answer 2

Healing by fibrosis causes strictures, impaired motility and obstruction

Question 3

What change does the epithelium undergo in Barrett’s oesophagus?

Answer 3

Transformation from squamous to glandular epithelium

Question 4

What is metaplasia?

Answer 4

Transformation of a normal type of tissue to another normal type of tissue

Question 5

What are the local pathological effects of oesophageal cancer?

Answer 5

Obstruction
Ulceration
Perforation

Question 6

What are the pathways of oesophageal cancer spread?

Answer 6

Direct to surrounding structures
Lymphatic spread to regional lymph nodes
Blood spread

Question 7

What are the 3 different pathological types of gastritis?

Answer 7

Autoimmune
Bacterial
Chemical injury

Question 8

What is the pathological pathway of autoimmune gastritis?

Answer 8

Atrophy of specialised acid secreting gastric epithelium
Loss of specialised gastric epithelial cells
Decreased acid secretion
Loss of intrinsic factor

Question 9

What is the pathological pathway of bacterial gastritis?

Answer 9

Helicobacter pylori found in gastric mucus on epithelium
Produces acute and chronic inflammatory response
Increased acid production

Question 10

What causes chemical gastritis?

Answer 10

NSAIDS
Alcohol
Bile reflux

Question 11

What is the pathological process behind peptic ulceration?

Answer 11

Imbalance between acid secretion and mucosal barrier

Increased gastric acid