Which areas are accessible by upper endoscopy?

Which areas are accessible by upper endoscopy?

• A. Esophagus, stomach, proximal duodenum
• B. Esophagus, stomach, distal duodenum
• C. Esophagus, stomach, ileum
• D. Stomach, proximal jejunum, distal ileum

Answer: (A)

Upper endoscopy reaches the mucosa of the esophagus, stomach, and the proximal part of the duodenum. The instrument is passed through the mouth and slides down into these upper GI structures, but it does not routinely reach the distal duodenum or the ileum. To evaluate beyond the proximal duodenum, other procedures like specialized enteroscopy or different imaging methods would be needed. Therefore, the areas accessible by upper endoscopy are the esophagus, stomach, and proximal duodenum.

Upper endoscopy reaches the mucosa of the esophagus, stomach, and the proximal part of the duodenum. The instrument is passed through the mouth and slides down into these upper GI structures, but it does not routinely reach the distal duodenum or the ileum. To evaluate beyond the proximal duodenum, other procedures like specialized enteroscopy or different imaging methods would be needed. Therefore, the areas accessible by upper endoscopy are the esophagus, stomach, and proximal duodenum.