[Intrinsic glands of the adult human esophagus]

In 114 esophagi of men and women in mature, elderly and old age, the number, distribution density, size of the secretory parts in the proper glands and area of the ostia of their ducts in various parts of the organ have been studied macro-microscopically with subsequent morphometry. With transition from mature to elderly and old age, their number and distribution density increase. There is no differences revealed in total number of the glands between men and women. In the men in the middle third of the esophagus the number of the glands is greater than in its upper and lower parts. In old age length and width of the glandular secretory parts in the lower third of the esophagus and their length in the middle part of the organ decrease. Dimensions of the glandular secretory parts increase in the craniocaudal direction.