American Board of Pathology (ABPath) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Portal hypertension is a condition characterized by increased blood pressure in the portal venous system, which can lead to several physiological changes and morphological developments in the body. The correct choice, which indicates that a high red blood cell count is not associated with portal hypertension, is grounded in the understanding of what portal hypertension entails and its associated complications.

Recannalized umbilical veins, liver nodularity, and esophageal varices are all direct consequences of sustained increased pressure in the portal system. The recanalized umbilical vein can provide collateral circulation as pressure rises, leading to the dilation of this vessel. Liver nodularity often results from cirrhosis, which is a common consequence of chronic liver disease that can also cause portal hypertension. Esophageal varices develop due to increased pressure in the epigastric veins, which can lead to life-threatening hemorrhages.

In contrast, a high red blood cell count is typically not a direct consequence of portal hypertension. While certain hematological changes could occur as a part of the body's response to chronic illness or hypoxia (which can sometimes accompany liver dysfunction), a high red blood cell count is not a classic feature or direct correlate of portal hypertension. This distinguishes it from the other options, which are