Mallory-Weiss tears involve which area of the GI tract?

Mallory-Weiss tears involve which area of the GI tract?

• A. Esophagogastric junction mucosa
• B. Esophageal body
• C. Duodenum near the pylorus
• D. Pyloric channel

Answer: (A)

Mallory-Weiss tears are mucosal lacerations at the gastroesophageal junction caused by forceful vomiting or retching. The forceful rise in pressure during retching shears the mucosa where the esophagus meets the stomach, leading to bleeding from the esophagogastric junction. That location—the junctional mucosa between esophagus and stomach—is why the esophagogastric junction mucosa is the correct area. The other sites listed aren’t the typical location for these tears; the tear is not a routine esophageal body lesion, nor is it in the duodenum near the pylorus or the pyloric channel. For contrast, a full-thickness esophageal rupture from severe vomiting is Boerhaave syndrome, which involves a different, more dangerous injury.

Mallory-Weiss tears are mucosal lacerations at the gastroesophageal junction caused by forceful vomiting or retching. The forceful rise in pressure during retching shears the mucosa where the esophagus meets the stomach, leading to bleeding from the esophagogastric junction. That location—the junctional mucosa between esophagus and stomach—is why the esophagogastric junction mucosa is the correct area. The other sites listed aren’t the typical location for these tears; the tear is not a routine esophageal body lesion, nor is it in the duodenum near the pylorus or the pyloric channel. For contrast, a full-thickness esophageal rupture from severe vomiting is Boerhaave syndrome, which involves a different, more dangerous injury.