Pathoma GI Exam Study Guide
Latest Updated 2024/2025
What is an aphthous ulcer? - ansPainful superficial
ulceration related to stress
Resolves spontaneously but often recurs
Characterized by grayish base surrounded by erythema
Behcet syndrome - ansRecurrent aphthous ulcer, genital ulcers,
and uveitis.
Due to immune complex vasculitis involving small vessels
Can be seen after viral infection
What are the major risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma? -
anstobacco and alcohol
What is hairy leukoplakia? - ansWhite, rough, hair patch that
arises on lateral tongue
Seen in immunocompromised individuals
Due to EBV-induced squamous cell hyperplasia
Not premalignant
What is sialadenitis? - ansinflammation of salivary gland
Most commonly due to obstructing stone, leading to Staph
aureus infection
Usually unilateral
What is a pleomorphic adenoma? - ansbenign tumor composed
to stromal and epithelial tissue
most common salivary gland tumor
High rate of recurrence
,Pathoma GI Exam Study Guide
Latest Updated 2024/2025
Usually arises in parotid, presents as mobile, painless,
circumscribed mass at jaw angle
Rarely transforms into carcinoma (which presents with signs of
facial nerve damage)
What is a warthin tumor? - ansbenign cystic tumor with
abundant lymphocytes and germinal centers (lymph node like
stroma)
Always arises in parotid
Second most common salivary gland tumor
What is a mucoepidermoid carcinoma? - ansMmalignant tumor
composed of mucinous and squamous cells.
Arises in parotid, Commonly involves facial nerve
Most common malignant tumor of salivary gland
What is the most common malignant tumor of salivary gland? -
ansmucoepidermoid carcinoma
What is an esophageal web? - ansThin protrustion of mucosa
Most often in upper esophagus
Dysphagia
Increased risk for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
What are the characteristics of Plummer-Vinson syndrome? -
ans1. severe iron deficiency anemia
2. esophageal web
3. beefy red tongue due to atrophic glossitis
What is Zenker diveritculum? - ansOutpouching of pharyngeal
mucosa through an acquired defect in the muscular wall.
Arises above the UES at the junction of esophagus and pharynx
Presents with dysphagia, obstruction, and halitosis
, Pathoma GI Exam Study Guide
Latest Updated 2024/2025
What is Mallory-Weiss syndrome? - ansLongitudinal laceation
of mucosa at GE junction, caused by severe vomiting
(alcoholism or bulimia)
Painful hematemesis
Risk of Boerhaave Syndrome
What are esophageal varices? - ansdilated submucosal veins in
lower esophagus
Arises secondary to portal hypertension
Asymptomatic (risk of rupture exists)
Most common cause of death in cirrhosis
Painless hematemesis
What is the most common cause of death in cirrhosis? -
ansruptured esophageal varices
What is achalasia? - ansdisordered esophageal motility with
inability to relax the LES. Due to damaged ganglion cells in
myenteric plexus
What are the clinical features of GERD? - ans1. heartburn
2. adult onset asthma and cough
3. damage to enamel of teeth
4. ulceration with stricture and Barrett esophagus are late
complications
What is adenocarcinoma of esophagus? - ansmalignant
proliferation of glands
most common type in the West.
Lower 1/3 of esophagus
Arises from preexisting Barrett esophagus
What is squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus? - ansmalignant
proliferation of squamous cells
Latest Updated 2024/2025
What is an aphthous ulcer? - ansPainful superficial
ulceration related to stress
Resolves spontaneously but often recurs
Characterized by grayish base surrounded by erythema
Behcet syndrome - ansRecurrent aphthous ulcer, genital ulcers,
and uveitis.
Due to immune complex vasculitis involving small vessels
Can be seen after viral infection
What are the major risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma? -
anstobacco and alcohol
What is hairy leukoplakia? - ansWhite, rough, hair patch that
arises on lateral tongue
Seen in immunocompromised individuals
Due to EBV-induced squamous cell hyperplasia
Not premalignant
What is sialadenitis? - ansinflammation of salivary gland
Most commonly due to obstructing stone, leading to Staph
aureus infection
Usually unilateral
What is a pleomorphic adenoma? - ansbenign tumor composed
to stromal and epithelial tissue
most common salivary gland tumor
High rate of recurrence
,Pathoma GI Exam Study Guide
Latest Updated 2024/2025
Usually arises in parotid, presents as mobile, painless,
circumscribed mass at jaw angle
Rarely transforms into carcinoma (which presents with signs of
facial nerve damage)
What is a warthin tumor? - ansbenign cystic tumor with
abundant lymphocytes and germinal centers (lymph node like
stroma)
Always arises in parotid
Second most common salivary gland tumor
What is a mucoepidermoid carcinoma? - ansMmalignant tumor
composed of mucinous and squamous cells.
Arises in parotid, Commonly involves facial nerve
Most common malignant tumor of salivary gland
What is the most common malignant tumor of salivary gland? -
ansmucoepidermoid carcinoma
What is an esophageal web? - ansThin protrustion of mucosa
Most often in upper esophagus
Dysphagia
Increased risk for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
What are the characteristics of Plummer-Vinson syndrome? -
ans1. severe iron deficiency anemia
2. esophageal web
3. beefy red tongue due to atrophic glossitis
What is Zenker diveritculum? - ansOutpouching of pharyngeal
mucosa through an acquired defect in the muscular wall.
Arises above the UES at the junction of esophagus and pharynx
Presents with dysphagia, obstruction, and halitosis
, Pathoma GI Exam Study Guide
Latest Updated 2024/2025
What is Mallory-Weiss syndrome? - ansLongitudinal laceation
of mucosa at GE junction, caused by severe vomiting
(alcoholism or bulimia)
Painful hematemesis
Risk of Boerhaave Syndrome
What are esophageal varices? - ansdilated submucosal veins in
lower esophagus
Arises secondary to portal hypertension
Asymptomatic (risk of rupture exists)
Most common cause of death in cirrhosis
Painless hematemesis
What is the most common cause of death in cirrhosis? -
ansruptured esophageal varices
What is achalasia? - ansdisordered esophageal motility with
inability to relax the LES. Due to damaged ganglion cells in
myenteric plexus
What are the clinical features of GERD? - ans1. heartburn
2. adult onset asthma and cough
3. damage to enamel of teeth
4. ulceration with stricture and Barrett esophagus are late
complications
What is adenocarcinoma of esophagus? - ansmalignant
proliferation of glands
most common type in the West.
Lower 1/3 of esophagus
Arises from preexisting Barrett esophagus
What is squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus? - ansmalignant
proliferation of squamous cells
