Radiographic Pathology - Ch. 5:
Gastrointestinal System Study Guide
Exam with Actual Answers.
Visualization of which of the following structures indicate that the correct contrast scale has
been used for a plain abdominal radiograph? - Answer Lumbar spine and transverse
processes
The rhythmic smooth muscle contractions four in the upper gastrointestinal system are called? -
Answer Peristalsis
The greatest amount of digestion occurs in which portion of the intestines? - Answer
Duodenum
Detoxification of poisonous substances takes place in which organ? - Answer Liver
Which organ controls the level of glucose in the circulating blood? - Answer Pancreas
The telescoping of one part of the intestinal tract into another is termed? - Answer
Intussusception
Twisting of the bowel upon itself is termed? - Answer Volvulus
What is now considered to be the major imaging modality for the demonstration of gallstones?
- Answer Ultrasound
What is the major cause of cirrhosis in the United States and Europe? - Answer Alcoholism
Rupture of the spleen as a result of blunt abdominal trauma can be best demonstrated by what
imaging procedure? - Answer CT
If a patient is too ill to stand, what position can be used to demonstrate pneumoperitoneum? -
Answer left lateral decubitus, patient on left side
Extensive calcification in the wall of the gallbladder is termed? - Answer Porcelain
gallbladder
,Varicose veins of the rectum are termed? - Answer Hemorrhoids
"Apple Core" and "Napkin Ring" are common descriptive terms for annular carcinoma of
the_______? - Answer Colon
Chron's disease occurs in which organ? - Answer Colon, small bowell, and stomach
The presence of large amounts of gas and fluid in uniformly dilated loops of small and large
bowel, often seen after abdominal surgery, is termed? - Answer Adynamic ileus
What medical term is used to denote difficulty in swallowing? - Answer Dysphagia
Gastric contents that are mixed with hydrochloric acid and pepsin are called? - Answer
Chyme
To demonstrate esophageal reflux, the patient is often asked to perform the_____________? -
Answer Valsava maneuver
An abnormal connection between the esophagus and trachea is termed a(n)? - Answer
Fistula
The most common TE fistula is _________ described as esophageal atresia. - Answer Type III
An abnormal accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity is termed? - Answer Ascites
Herniations, or outpouchings, of the walls of a hollow organ are termed? - Answer
Diverticula
A colonic intussusception can sometimes be reduced by what radiographic procedure? - Answer
Barium enema
Patients older than 40 years with a history of difficulty in swallowing are usually assumed, until
demonstrated otherwise, to have what pathologic condition? - Answer Esophageal hernia
What is the most common manifestation of peptic ulcer disease? - Answer Duodenal ulcer
,If loops of bowel are distended by abnormally large amounts of air and are occupying the
central portion of the abdomen, the patient most likely has_______? - Answer Small bowel
obstruction
The muscle becomes hypertrophic preventing the normal emptying of the stomach in cases of
_______________. - Answer Pyloric stenosis
When located fluid collections arise in the pancreas, these formations are
called________________. - Answer Pseudocysts
The most prevalent inflammatory disease of the liver most commonly caused by a viral infection
or a reaction to drugs and toxins is__________. - Answer Hepatitis
What is the basic function of the gastrointestinal system? - Answer To alter the chemical and
physical composition of food so that it can be absorbed and used by the body.
What is the gastrointestinal system dependent upon? - Answer Secretions of the endocrine
and exocrine glands.
Controlled movement of ingested food through the tract so absorption can occur.
What is the esophageal pathology? - Answer Tracheoesophageal fistula
Esaphagitis
Ingestion of corrosive agents
Esophageal cancer
Esophageal diverticula
Esophageal varices
Hiatal hernia
Achalasia
Foreign bodies
Perforation of the esophagus
Congenital form is the result from the failure of the esophageal lumen to develop completely
separate from the trachea. - Answer Tracheoesophageal fistula
Acquired type is caused by cancer, infection, trauma, instrumentation perforation. - Answer
Tracheoesophageal fistula
, The lack of the development of the esophageal lumen resulting in a blind pouch. - Answer
Esophageal atresia
Acute form is most commonly the result of reflux of stomach contents into distal esophagus.
Also Gastroesphageal reflux disease (GERD). Chronic form may result in strictures. - Answer
Esophagitis
Esophagitis may also be caused by these infections. - Answer Herpes virus
Candida (yeast infection)
Produces acute inflammatory changes in the esophagus, superficial penetration results in only
minimal ulceration, deep penetration of the submucosa and muscular layers causes sloughing of
destroyed tissue and deep ulceration. - Answer Ingestion of corrosive agents
Most are squamous cell type, the most common site is esopaphagogastric junction. It is
associated with excessive alcohol intake and smoking. Dysphagia occurs late in the disease. -
Answer Esophageal cancer
Outpouchings of the esophageal wall. True or traction involves all layers of the wall. False or
pulsion is composed of only mucosa and submucosa herniating through the muscular layer. -
Answer Esophageal diverticula
Dilated veins in the distal esophagus, caused by portal hypertension. Portal hypertension is
usually caused by cirrhosis. May hemorrhage. - Answer Esophageal varices
Protrusion of a portion of the stomach into the thoracic cavity through the esophageal hiatus in
the diaphragm. Commonly causes GERD, and the degree of herniation varies widely, - Answer
Hiatal hernia
Functional obstruction of the distal esophagus with proximal dilation. Caused by incomplete
relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. - Answer Achalasia
May be radiopaque or radiolucent. Radiopaque is often seen without the aid of contrast.
Radiolucent is best seen with the aid of barium swallow. Two projections 90 degrees from each
other required to truly determine object is lodged in esophagus. - Answer Foreign bodies
May be a complication of esophagitis, peptic ulcer, neoplasm, external trauma, or
instrumentation. May also result from severe vomiting or coughing, often from dietary or
alcoholic indiscretion. - Answer Esophageal perforation
Gastrointestinal System Study Guide
Exam with Actual Answers.
Visualization of which of the following structures indicate that the correct contrast scale has
been used for a plain abdominal radiograph? - Answer Lumbar spine and transverse
processes
The rhythmic smooth muscle contractions four in the upper gastrointestinal system are called? -
Answer Peristalsis
The greatest amount of digestion occurs in which portion of the intestines? - Answer
Duodenum
Detoxification of poisonous substances takes place in which organ? - Answer Liver
Which organ controls the level of glucose in the circulating blood? - Answer Pancreas
The telescoping of one part of the intestinal tract into another is termed? - Answer
Intussusception
Twisting of the bowel upon itself is termed? - Answer Volvulus
What is now considered to be the major imaging modality for the demonstration of gallstones?
- Answer Ultrasound
What is the major cause of cirrhosis in the United States and Europe? - Answer Alcoholism
Rupture of the spleen as a result of blunt abdominal trauma can be best demonstrated by what
imaging procedure? - Answer CT
If a patient is too ill to stand, what position can be used to demonstrate pneumoperitoneum? -
Answer left lateral decubitus, patient on left side
Extensive calcification in the wall of the gallbladder is termed? - Answer Porcelain
gallbladder
,Varicose veins of the rectum are termed? - Answer Hemorrhoids
"Apple Core" and "Napkin Ring" are common descriptive terms for annular carcinoma of
the_______? - Answer Colon
Chron's disease occurs in which organ? - Answer Colon, small bowell, and stomach
The presence of large amounts of gas and fluid in uniformly dilated loops of small and large
bowel, often seen after abdominal surgery, is termed? - Answer Adynamic ileus
What medical term is used to denote difficulty in swallowing? - Answer Dysphagia
Gastric contents that are mixed with hydrochloric acid and pepsin are called? - Answer
Chyme
To demonstrate esophageal reflux, the patient is often asked to perform the_____________? -
Answer Valsava maneuver
An abnormal connection between the esophagus and trachea is termed a(n)? - Answer
Fistula
The most common TE fistula is _________ described as esophageal atresia. - Answer Type III
An abnormal accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity is termed? - Answer Ascites
Herniations, or outpouchings, of the walls of a hollow organ are termed? - Answer
Diverticula
A colonic intussusception can sometimes be reduced by what radiographic procedure? - Answer
Barium enema
Patients older than 40 years with a history of difficulty in swallowing are usually assumed, until
demonstrated otherwise, to have what pathologic condition? - Answer Esophageal hernia
What is the most common manifestation of peptic ulcer disease? - Answer Duodenal ulcer
,If loops of bowel are distended by abnormally large amounts of air and are occupying the
central portion of the abdomen, the patient most likely has_______? - Answer Small bowel
obstruction
The muscle becomes hypertrophic preventing the normal emptying of the stomach in cases of
_______________. - Answer Pyloric stenosis
When located fluid collections arise in the pancreas, these formations are
called________________. - Answer Pseudocysts
The most prevalent inflammatory disease of the liver most commonly caused by a viral infection
or a reaction to drugs and toxins is__________. - Answer Hepatitis
What is the basic function of the gastrointestinal system? - Answer To alter the chemical and
physical composition of food so that it can be absorbed and used by the body.
What is the gastrointestinal system dependent upon? - Answer Secretions of the endocrine
and exocrine glands.
Controlled movement of ingested food through the tract so absorption can occur.
What is the esophageal pathology? - Answer Tracheoesophageal fistula
Esaphagitis
Ingestion of corrosive agents
Esophageal cancer
Esophageal diverticula
Esophageal varices
Hiatal hernia
Achalasia
Foreign bodies
Perforation of the esophagus
Congenital form is the result from the failure of the esophageal lumen to develop completely
separate from the trachea. - Answer Tracheoesophageal fistula
Acquired type is caused by cancer, infection, trauma, instrumentation perforation. - Answer
Tracheoesophageal fistula
, The lack of the development of the esophageal lumen resulting in a blind pouch. - Answer
Esophageal atresia
Acute form is most commonly the result of reflux of stomach contents into distal esophagus.
Also Gastroesphageal reflux disease (GERD). Chronic form may result in strictures. - Answer
Esophagitis
Esophagitis may also be caused by these infections. - Answer Herpes virus
Candida (yeast infection)
Produces acute inflammatory changes in the esophagus, superficial penetration results in only
minimal ulceration, deep penetration of the submucosa and muscular layers causes sloughing of
destroyed tissue and deep ulceration. - Answer Ingestion of corrosive agents
Most are squamous cell type, the most common site is esopaphagogastric junction. It is
associated with excessive alcohol intake and smoking. Dysphagia occurs late in the disease. -
Answer Esophageal cancer
Outpouchings of the esophageal wall. True or traction involves all layers of the wall. False or
pulsion is composed of only mucosa and submucosa herniating through the muscular layer. -
Answer Esophageal diverticula
Dilated veins in the distal esophagus, caused by portal hypertension. Portal hypertension is
usually caused by cirrhosis. May hemorrhage. - Answer Esophageal varices
Protrusion of a portion of the stomach into the thoracic cavity through the esophageal hiatus in
the diaphragm. Commonly causes GERD, and the degree of herniation varies widely, - Answer
Hiatal hernia
Functional obstruction of the distal esophagus with proximal dilation. Caused by incomplete
relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. - Answer Achalasia
May be radiopaque or radiolucent. Radiopaque is often seen without the aid of contrast.
Radiolucent is best seen with the aid of barium swallow. Two projections 90 degrees from each
other required to truly determine object is lodged in esophagus. - Answer Foreign bodies
May be a complication of esophagitis, peptic ulcer, neoplasm, external trauma, or
instrumentation. May also result from severe vomiting or coughing, often from dietary or
alcoholic indiscretion. - Answer Esophageal perforation
