Histology USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 58-year-old woman with a 2-year history of autoimmune gastritis presents with macrocytic anemia and paresthesias. Vital signs are stable (BP 128/82, HR 78, RR 16, Temp 37°C). Laboratory studies reveal hemoglobin 9.2 g/dL with mean corpuscular volume 105 fL; serum B12 is 180 pg/mL. Intrinsic factor antibodies are positive. Gastric body biopsy demonstrates chronic inflammation and destruction of acid-secreting cells, with normal mucous neck cells. Which cell type is the primary target of this autoimmune process?
Answer choices
- ASurface mucous cells
- BParietal cellsCorrect answer
- CChief cells
- DEnterochromaffin-like cells
- EGoblet cells
- FG cells
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