title: Genesis and decay of the foregut: development and repair.
abstract: The microscopic anatomy of the oesophago-gastric territory is interpreted as the result of the interaction of three main phenotypes: squamous, oxyntic and intestinal. This synthesis allows the comparison between phenotype development, atrophy and metaplasia. The concomitances in the processes of development and repair lead to the proposal of an intestinalization gradient inherent to the oesophago-gastric field. This hypothesis permits an integration of the epithelial changes associated with gastritis and oesophagitis together with ontogenesis. The global tendencies in epithelial development and repair are discussed; a link between the two appears evident. The shifting potential of the progenitor gland zones in development and repair is in consonance with Wolpert's theory of positional information.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Basque Country, School of Medicine, Social Security Hospital, Bilbao, Spain.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Vilanova
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Simon-Marin
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Angulo
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rivera-Pomar
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004947:Esophagus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D013270:Stomach / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology