Objective To explore the rule of cell proliferation, apoptosis and expression significance of involved proteins as Bcl-2 and Bax in the developing esophagus of human fetus. Methods In the second through the fourth month of gestation, the expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins were observed in 14 human esophagus using the ABC of immunohistochemical methods. Results In the second, the third and the fourth months of gestation, there were Bcl-2 positive cells distributed in the intermuscular and submucous nerve plexus, and the mucous epithelial cells in the human esophagus. Bax weakly positive cells were observed in the mucous epithelial cells of the human esophagus.Conclusion Bcl-2 and Bax proteins are closely related with the developing esophagus of human embryo.