Features of normal esophageal biopsy :                 

- Lining epithelium is stratified squamous non-keratinizing epithelium

- Basal layer ( polygonal or cuboidal cells) is one to four cell thick and account for 15% of its thickness. It is thickest at distal 2 - 3 cm of  squamous mucosa adjacent to Z-line.    

- Z -line is the squamocolumnar  junction which is histologically irregular. The glandular epithelium lying higher than   squamous mucosa. The lower esophageal sphincter is located in this area.

 Immunohistochemical markers for Barrett's esophagus and associations to esophageal Z-line appearance.Scand J Gastroenterol. 2001 Sep;36(9):910-5.

- Melanocytes and neuroendocrine cells may be found in the basal layer.

- The lamina propria consists of loose connective tissue. Mucous glands (esophageal cardiac glands) are present in the distal part of the esophagus.

- Vascular connective tissue papillae can indent  the lamina propria as far as 2/3rd into mucosal thickness.

- Muscular mucosae is thicker in the esophagus than in any other part of the gut.

- At the esophagogastric junction gastric type glands are branched and divided into groups by smooth muscle fibres. Most of the cells are mucus secreting . Glands near the esophagogastric junction also contain parietal cells,  chief cells and endocrine cells.

- Submucosal mucous glands are present throughout its length.

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  Dr  Sampurna Roy MD

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