Foveolar metaplasia

by Jason Wasserman MD PhD FRCPC
June 3, 2022

What is foveolar metaplasia?

Foveolar metaplasia is a non-cancerous condition that involves a group of cells changing to become more like the specialized foveolar cells that are normally found in a part of the stomach called the antrum. Similar to the foveolar cells normally found in the stomach, the cells in foveolar metaplasia produce a substance called mucin which helps protect cells from the strong acids normally produced in the stomach. Foveolar metaplasia is commonly found in the stomach (outside of the antrum), duodenum (the first part of the small intestine), and the ileum (the last part of the small intestine).

What causes foveolar metaplasia?

Foveolar metaplasia is believed to represent a protective response to prior tissue injury caused by exposure to stomach acid or medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Foveolar metaplasia is often seen in a condition called peptic duodenitis.