Intramucosal ganglion cells in normal adult colorectal mucosa.

Intramucosal ganglion cells are incompletely understood. Reviewed were 100 normal specimens from colorectal biopsies of nonconstipated adults to firmly establish the existence of intramucosal ganglion cells in normal adult colorectal mucosa, determine whether intramucosal giant ganglia exist, and compare the prevalence of colorectal intramucosal ganglion cells between men and women. Fifty specimens from each gender were examined. Twenty specimens contained intramucosal ganglion cells, including 15 from women (75%) and only 5 from men (25%). Intramucosal ganglion cells occurred singly or in clusters. One woman had large disciform and globular clusters with 7 ganglion cells, resembling giant ganglia. Awareness of ganglion cells and large ganglia in normal mucosa is necessary to avoid potential confusion with ectopic ganglion cells and submucosal giant ganglia seen in adult intestinal neuronal dysplasia. Intramucosal ganglion cells in normal colorectal mucosa are particularly common in women. This disparity might contribute to colorectal neurophysiologic differences between genders.