GI PATHOLOGY (FIRST AID) STUDY
GUIDE WITH COMPLETE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS [GRADED A+]
Achalasia - ✔✔Failure of relaxation of the LES due to loss of myenteric
(Auerbach's) plexus.
What are the secondary causes of achalasia? - ✔✔-Chagas disease
(Trypanosoma cruzi)
-Diabetic autonomic neuropathy
What are the clinical signs of achalasia? - ✔✔Dysphagia,regurgitation,
and esophageal dilation
Cancer associated with achalasia? - ✔✔squamous cell carcinoma
©morren2025/2026.Year published 2026.
,GERD - ✔✔-Commonly presents as heartburn and regurgitation upon
laying down.
-May also present with nocturnal cough and dyspnea, adult onset asthma
-Decrease in LES tone
Esophageal varices - ✔✔-Painless bleeding of dilated submucosal veins in
lower 1/3 of esophagus
-Secondary to portal hypertension
Esophagitis - ✔✔-Associated with reflux, infection
Esophagitis associated with infection - ✔✔-Candida: white
pseudomembrane
-HSV-1: punched out ulcers
-CMV: linear ulcers
Mallory-Weiss syndrome - ✔✔-Mucosal lacerations at the
gastroesophageal junction due to severe vomiting
-Leads to hematemesis
©morren2025/2026.Year published 2026.
,-Usually found in alcoholics and bulimics
Barrett's Esophagus - ✔✔-Glandular metaplasia: replacement of
squamous epithelium with intestinal epithelium with goblet cells
-Results from chronic reflux (GERD)
-Increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma
Esophageal cancer - ✔✔-Can be squamous cell carcinoma or
adenocarcinoma
-Typically presents with progressive dysphagia (first solids then liquids) and
weight loss
-Poor prognosis
-Squamous Cell = Upper 2/3
-Adenocarcinoma = Lower 1/3
Risk factors for esophageal cancer - ✔✔-AABCDEFFGH
-Achalasia (SCC)
-Alcohol (SCC)
-Barrett's (A)
©morren2025/2026.Year published 2026.
, -Cigarettes (Both)
-Diverticula (SCC)
-Esophageal Web (SCC)
-Familial
-Fat/Obesity (A)
-GERD (A)
-Hot Liquids (SCC)
Malabsorption Syndromes (general) - ✔✔-Can cause diarrhea,
steatorrhea, weight loss, weakness, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies
Common Malabsorption Syndromes - ✔✔-These Will Cause Devastating
Absorption Problems
"T" - Tropical Sprue
"W" - Whipple's Disease
"C" - Celiac Sprue
"D" - Disaccharide Deficiency
"A" - Abetalipoproteinemia
"P" - Pancreatic Insufficiency
©morren2025/2026.Year published 2026.
GUIDE WITH COMPLETE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS [GRADED A+]
Achalasia - ✔✔Failure of relaxation of the LES due to loss of myenteric
(Auerbach's) plexus.
What are the secondary causes of achalasia? - ✔✔-Chagas disease
(Trypanosoma cruzi)
-Diabetic autonomic neuropathy
What are the clinical signs of achalasia? - ✔✔Dysphagia,regurgitation,
and esophageal dilation
Cancer associated with achalasia? - ✔✔squamous cell carcinoma
©morren2025/2026.Year published 2026.
,GERD - ✔✔-Commonly presents as heartburn and regurgitation upon
laying down.
-May also present with nocturnal cough and dyspnea, adult onset asthma
-Decrease in LES tone
Esophageal varices - ✔✔-Painless bleeding of dilated submucosal veins in
lower 1/3 of esophagus
-Secondary to portal hypertension
Esophagitis - ✔✔-Associated with reflux, infection
Esophagitis associated with infection - ✔✔-Candida: white
pseudomembrane
-HSV-1: punched out ulcers
-CMV: linear ulcers
Mallory-Weiss syndrome - ✔✔-Mucosal lacerations at the
gastroesophageal junction due to severe vomiting
-Leads to hematemesis
©morren2025/2026.Year published 2026.
,-Usually found in alcoholics and bulimics
Barrett's Esophagus - ✔✔-Glandular metaplasia: replacement of
squamous epithelium with intestinal epithelium with goblet cells
-Results from chronic reflux (GERD)
-Increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma
Esophageal cancer - ✔✔-Can be squamous cell carcinoma or
adenocarcinoma
-Typically presents with progressive dysphagia (first solids then liquids) and
weight loss
-Poor prognosis
-Squamous Cell = Upper 2/3
-Adenocarcinoma = Lower 1/3
Risk factors for esophageal cancer - ✔✔-AABCDEFFGH
-Achalasia (SCC)
-Alcohol (SCC)
-Barrett's (A)
©morren2025/2026.Year published 2026.
, -Cigarettes (Both)
-Diverticula (SCC)
-Esophageal Web (SCC)
-Familial
-Fat/Obesity (A)
-GERD (A)
-Hot Liquids (SCC)
Malabsorption Syndromes (general) - ✔✔-Can cause diarrhea,
steatorrhea, weight loss, weakness, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies
Common Malabsorption Syndromes - ✔✔-These Will Cause Devastating
Absorption Problems
"T" - Tropical Sprue
"W" - Whipple's Disease
"C" - Celiac Sprue
"D" - Disaccharide Deficiency
"A" - Abetalipoproteinemia
"P" - Pancreatic Insufficiency
©morren2025/2026.Year published 2026.
