ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the clinical and pathological characteristics and diagnosis of heterotopic pancreas. Methods: The clinical data of 36 patients with heterotopic pancreas admitted during the past two years were reviewed, and the clinicopathologic features and diagnostic method of this condition were analyzed. Results: Of the entire group, 19 patients were males and 17 were females. Most patients had an onset of illness between 30 to 49 years of age, and the gastric antrum was the most common site of involvement. All 36 cases presented with repeated episodes of abdominal discomfort, and 7 of them were diagnosed as heterotopic pancreas by gastrointestinal endoscopy, which had an accordance rate of 19.4% with final pathological results. Conclusion: The etiology of heterotopic pancreas has no obvious relationship with sex, but relates to the age and inflammatory conditions (e.g. superficial gastritis and erosion) of the patients. The correct diagnosis of heterotopic pancreas requires a combined evaluation of the clinical and pathological findings.