The histological features of 28 depressed adenomas (DAs) were compared with those of 40 flat adenomas (FAs) without a central depression and those of 29 polypoid adenomas (PAs), with special reference to the development of pericryptal fibroblasts (PCFs), using immunohistochemical staining for muscle-specific actin (HHF-35). The DAs were composed of a crowded collection of adenomatous tubules with smaller diameters than those of the PAs. With regard to PCF development, the DAs had poorly developed PCFs; PCF (-), (+), and (++) numbered 12 (43%), 16 (57%), and 0 (0%), respectively. On the other hand, the nondepressed adenomas (PAs and FAs) had well-developed PCF; PCF (-), (+), and (++) numbered 5 (7%), 35 (51%), and 29 (42%), respectively. In addition, the number of PCFs seemed to decrease in the sequence of PAs, followed by FAs and DAs. According to our results, the DAs had a characteristic histological architecture together with poorly developed PCFs features, which distinguished them from the PAs. In conclusion, the depressed adenomas were considered a subtype of the flat adenomas. The depletion of PCFs seems to correlate with the depressed growth of the adenoma.