The pancreas of a 22-year-old Caucasian male with recurrent pulmonary infections and finger clubbing shows extensive exocrine gland atrophy and fibrosis. The pancreatic ducts are lined with squamous epithelium with areas of keratinization. The finding of squamous metaplasia in the pancreatic ducts is most likely related to a deficiency of:

Question

The pancreas of a 22-year-old Caucasian male with recurrent pulmonary infections and finger clubbing shows extensive exocrine gland atrophy and fibrosis.  The pancreatic ducts are lined with squamous epithelium with areas of keratinization.  The finding of squamous metaplasia in the pancreatic ducts is most likely related to a deficiency of:

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Caucasian are suggestive of cystic fibrosis (CF).  CF can lead to pancreatic insufficiency, fat malabsorption, and a deficiency of vitamins A, D, E and K.  Vitamin A maintains orderly differentiation of specialized epithelia, including the mucus-secreting columnar epithelia of the ocular conjunctiva, respiratory and urinary tracts, and pancreatic and other exocrine ducts.  Avitaminosis A can cause squamous metaplasia of such epithelia to a keratinizing epithelium.

The Pancreas of a 22-Year-Old Caucasian Male with Recurrent Pulmonary