We examined the histological characteristics of the foveolur zone of the gastric body mucosa, using dye endoscopy and endoscopic biopsy. In 63 patients, the gastric area type of the gastric body was placed in one of the following categories ; fundic gland type 0 (Fo), where small and fine areas are arranged closely to one another ; F I , where the areas are largest in size, round and high ; F z , where the areas are intemediate in size but not so high ; F3, where small and flat areas are loosely arranged ; pseudo-pyloric gland ty$e 1 (Pbr), where the areas are regular in size and arrangement; and the completely atrophic gland type (Pbz) with areas irregular in size and arrangement. The histological characteristics of the foveolar zone were emmined o n printed microphotographs of the biopsy specimens of the gastric body. The density of the gastric pit was defined as the number of pits in a 1 mm width of the mucosal surface and depth of the foveolue was measured as the distance between the top and bottom (or the isthmus) of the foveolue as seen on vertical sections. The gastric pit density and depth of the foveolue were dense and shallow, respectively, in FO and sparse and deep, in Pbl and Pbz respectively. The degree of these factors showed independency in area types Fo, F I and Pbz and there were correlations of P

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