Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026

Dermoscopy Aids in the Diagnosis of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
Published on: May 16, 2025
Dermoscopy of non-skin cancer nail disorders
Bianca Maria Piraccini1, Francesca Bruni, Michela Starace
1Division of Dermatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Aging and Nephrological Diseases, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. biancamaria.piraccini@unibo.it
Abstract:
Nail dermoscopy is becoming more and more frequently utilized for the diagnosis of nail disorders. It can be performed with handy dermoscope or with a video dermoscope, which allows magnifications of up to 200. Nail dermoscopy requires a good knowledge of nail anatomy and physiology and the pathogenesis of nail diseases: we have to know which part of the nail we have to look at! The nail is in fact not visible as a whole at one time, but its different parts should be observed, moving the lens back and forth and transversally. All nail disorders can be observed by dermoscopy. However, except for some diseases in which the technique really adds a lot to clinical examination, in most of the cases, nail dermoscopy only permits a better visualization of symptoms already evident to the naked eye. Dermoscopic features of nail signs are always very interesting and surprising, and may help in our understanding of nails.
More Related Videos
05:06Non-Invasive Visualization of Nailbed Microvascular Morphology in Mice Using Capillaroscopy
Published on: February 28, 2025
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
Accessory Structures of the Skin: Nails
The main components of a nail include the following.
Nail Plate: The nail plate is the visible portion of the nail that extends beyond the fingertips or toes. It is a hard, translucent...
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...
Skin Diseases and Disorders
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
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...
Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...