[The localisation of endocrine cells in the distal esophagus (author's transl)].

At the esophago-cardiac junction squamous epithelium is intermingled with gastric epithelium. Within the lamina propria of the distal 3 cm of the esophagus we found cardiac glands with many argyrophil cells in 60% of cases. Electron microscopy revealed seven well knonwn types and two further forms which we could not identify: EC, ECL, D, D1, AL, I eg. M, S. It is supposed that these cells are modified neurotransmitters with a local activity. Their function is local regulation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).