Practice Test GeeksAmerican Board of Pathology (ABPath) Practice Test
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Gastrointestinal Pathology Flashcards

6 cards from real ABPATH practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. Barrett esophagus is defined histologically by the presence of which type of metaplasia?

    Answer: Intestinal metaplasia with goblet cells

    Barrett esophagus requires intestinal metaplasia with goblet cells in the distal esophagus, confirmed by Alcian blue stain at pH 2.5.

  2. Helicobacter pylori preferentially colonizes which region of the stomach?

    Answer: Antrum

    H. pylori colonizes the gastric antrum preferentially, where it is detected by Giemsa, Warthin-Starry silver stain, or CLO (rapid urease) test.

  3. Which histologic feature BEST distinguishes Crohn disease from ulcerative colitis?

    Answer: Transmural inflammation with granulomas

    Transmural inflammation with non-caseating granulomas is the hallmark of Crohn disease, whereas ulcerative colitis is limited to the mucosa and submucosa.

  4. Hirschsprung disease results from absence of ganglion cells in which layer of the bowel wall?

    Answer: Submucosal (Meissner) and myenteric (Auerbach) plexuses

    Hirschsprung disease results from failed neural crest cell migration, causing absence of ganglion cells in the submucosal and myenteric plexuses of the rectosigmoid.

  5. A villous adenoma of the rectum is associated with highest risk for malignant transformation compared to other polyp types because it has:

    Answer: Largest surface area with maximal dysplasia exposure

    Villous adenomas have the greatest malignant potential (up to 40%) due to their larger size, greater surface area, and higher degree of dysplasia at diagnosis.

  6. Lynch syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer) is caused by germline mutations in which genes?

    Answer: MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2 (MMR genes)

    Lynch syndrome results from germline mutations in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2), leading to microsatellite instability.