Hallmark of Barrett's epithelium is: (A) Mucus secreting goblet cells, (B) Transitional columnar epithelium, (C) Stratified squamous epithelium, (D) Acid producing parietal cells
Answer is A. Barrett's oesophagus is a metaplastic change in the lining mucosa of the oesophagus in response to chronic gastro-oesophageal refluxThis adaptive response involves a mosaic of cell types, probably beginning as a simple columnar epithelium which becomes 'specialised' with time. The hallmark of 'specialised' Barrett's epithelium is the presence of mucus-secreting goblet cells (intestinal metaplasia).Ref: Bailey and Love 27e pg: 1081