From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nevus (or naevus, plural nevi, from nævus, latin for birthmark) is the medical term for sharply-circumscribed and chronic lesions of the skin. These lesions are commonly named birthmarks and moles. By definition, nevi are benign. Histologically, nevi are differentiated from lentigos (also a type of benign pigmented macule) by the presence of nests of melanocytes, which lentigines (pl. form of lentigo) lack.
[edit] Classification
- Melanocytic nevus (nevomelanocytic nevus, nevocellular nevus): benign proliferation of melanocytes, the skin cells that make the brown pigment melanin. Hence, most nevi are brown to black. They are very common; almost all adults have at least one, usually more. They may be congenital or acquired, usually at puberty. The melanocytic nevi are classified as such:
- Junctional nevus: the nevus cells are located along the junction of the epithelium and the underlying dermis. A junctional nevus is flat and brown to black.
- Compound nevus: a mixture of junctional and intradermal proliferation. Compound nevi are slightly raised and brown to black.
- Intradermal nevus: the nevus cells are located in the dermis only. Intradermal nevi are raised; most are flesh-colored (not pigmented).
- Dysplastic nevus (nevus of Clark): usually a compound nevus with cellular and architectural dysplasia. They tend to be larger (more than 6 mm), with irregular borders and irregular coloration. Hence, they ressemble melanoma, appear worrisome and are often removed to clarify the diagnosis. Dysplastic nevi do not transform into melanoma but are a marker of risk when they are numerous (atypical mole syndrome).
- Blue nevus: the nevus cells are very deep in the dermis.
- Spitz nevus: a distinct variant of intradermal nevus, usually in a child. They are raised and reddish (non-pigmented). A pigmented variant, called the nevus of Reed, typically appears on the leg of young women.
- Giant Hairy Nevus: these large, pigmented, often hairy congenital nevi can be a source of much psychological and social suffering. They are also important because melanoma may occasionally (10 to 15%) appear in them.
- Intramucosal nevus: junctional nevus of the mucosa of the mouth or genital areas. In the mouth, they are found most frequently on the hard palate.
- Nevus of Ito and Nevus of Ota: congenital, flat brownish lesions on the face or shoulder.
- Mongolian spot: congenital large, deep, bluish discoloration on the back of Asian babies.
- Epidermal lesions:
- Epidermal nevus: congenital, flesh-colored, raised or warty, often linear lesion, usually on the upper half of the body.
- Nevus sebaceus: variant of epidermal nevus on the scalp presenting as a hairless, fleshy or yellowish area.
- Connective tissue lesions:
- Connective tissue nevus: fleshy, deep nodules. Rare.
- Vascular lesions. See birthmark for a more complete discussion:
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