Abstract：Objective：To determine the expression of connexin 32 (Cx32) and 43 (Cx43) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and investigate their effects and clinical significance in the occurrence and development of human ESCC. Methods：The expressions of Cx32 and Cx43 in 78 cases of ESCC and 22 cases of adjacent normal tissues were determined by Elivision immunohistochemical technique. Results：Cx32 and Cx43 were typically expressed in the membrane of normal esophageal squamous epithelium, and the positive rate of Cx expression were significantly higher in normal esophageal tissues than that in cancer tissues (P<0.01). In ESCC, the expression of Cx32 and Cx43 was closely correlated with the differentiation grade, invasive depth, metastasis of lymph nodes and clinical staging, but not related with sex, age and lesion distribution. Conclusions：The expression of Cx32 and Cx43 decreased with the elevated pathologic grade of ESCC. The abnormal expression may be considered as an important factor in the occurrence and development of ESCC.