Anatomical and histopathological correlates of the dermoscopic patterns seen in melanocytic nevi on the sole: a retrospective study
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026
A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model
Published on: May 18, 2018
Atsushi Miyazaki1, Toshiaki Saida, Hiroshi Koga
1Department of Dermatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan.
Background:
Anatomical and histopathologic correlates of the unique dermoscopic patterns seen in melanocytic nevi on acral volar skin is yet to be clarified.
Objective:
Our aim was to investigate the relation between the dermoscopic patterns and anatomical and histopathological characteristics of melanocytic nevi on the sole.
Methods:
The precise locations of 298 melanocytic nevi on the sole from 278 patients were retrospectively investigated, with attention paid to each dermoscopic pattern. In addition, 35 nevi showing each typical dermoscopic pattern were excised and evaluated histopathologically.
Results:
Melanocytic nevi showing the parallel furrow pattern or the fibrillar pattern were located on the portions of the sole with regular parallel skin markings and were not found on the arch areas of the foot. Moreover, a subtle but distinctive difference in the distribution was observed between nevi of the two patterns; the nevi with the fibrillar pattern showed a tendency for the sites directly pressed by the body's weight. Melanocytic nevi of the lattice-like pattern were mostly located on the arch areas. Histopathologically, irrespective of the dermoscopic patterns, nests of nevus cells were mainly located in the epidermal rete ridges underlying the surface sulci. In the nevi with a fibrillar pattern, the cornified layer showed a slanting arrangement, which is considered to be a histopathological background of the fibrillar pattern.
Conclusion:
Dermoscopic patterns seen in acral melanocytic nevi could be explained by the unique anatomical and histopathological characteristics of the acral skin.
More Related Videos
10:35Multimodal Imaging and Spectroscopy Fiber-bundle Microendoscopy Platform for Non-invasive, In Vivo Tissue Analysis
Published on: October 17, 2016
09:37Combining Reflectance Confocal Microscopy with Optical Coherence Tomography for Noninvasive Diagnosis of Skin Cancers via Image Acquisition
Published on: August 18, 2022
Related Concept Videos
01:30Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
01:19Pigmentation
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...
01:23Skin Diseases and Disorders
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
01:11Papillary 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...