Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 21, 2026

A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model
Published on: May 18, 2018
Dermal dendritic melanocytic proliferations: an update
1Dermatopathology Unit, Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Harvard, MA 02114, USA. azembowicz@partners.org
Abstract:
Dermal dendritic melanocytic proliferations are a broad group of congenital and acquired melanocytic lesions characterized by the presence of dermal spindled and dendritic cells resembling melanocytes migrating from the neural crest to the epidermis. Historically, they were subdivided into dermal melanocytoses (naevus of Ota, Ito, Mongolian spot and related conditions), blue naevi and malignant blue naevi. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on recent developments in the field with emphasis on new entities and their differential diagnosis.
Related Concept Videos
Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Cells of the Epidermis
The cells in all these layers except the stratum basale are called keratinocytes, a type of cell that manufactures and stores the protein keratin. The keratinocytes in the stratum corneum are dead and regularly slough away, being replaced by cells from...
Papillary Dermis
The dermis might be considered the "core" of the integumentary system, as distinct from the epidermis and hypodermis. It contains blood and lymph vessels, nerves, and other structures, such as hair follicles and sweat glands. The dermis is made of two layers of connective tissue that comprise an interconnected mesh of elastin and collagenous fibers, produced by fibroblasts.
Papillary Layer
The papillary layer is made of loose, areolar connective tissue, which means the collagen and...
Renewal of Skin Epidermal Stem Cells
Pigmentation
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...
Reticular Dermis
Reticular Layer
Underlying the papillary layer is the much thicker reticular layer, composed of dense, irregular connective...

