nevus araneus - HEALTHIES
Another name for a mole is a nevus. The plural is nevi. What does a common mole look like?
Understanding the Context
A common mole is usually smaller than about 5 millimeters wide (about 1/4 inch, the width of a pencil eraser). It is round or oval, has a smooth surface with a distinct edge, and is often dome-shaped. Nevus (pl. nevi) is a nonspecific medical term for a visible, circumscribed, chronic lesion of the skin or mucosa.
Image Gallery
Key Insights
[1] The term originates from naevus, which is Latin for "birthmark"; however, a nevus can be either congenital (present at birth) or acquired. Nevus is the medical term for a mole. We’ll go over some of the most common types and how to recognize them. Flip through the photo gallery to help identify what kind of nevus you may have. Dysplastic nevus (an atypical mole) increases your risk of melanoma.
Related Articles You Might Like:
rybelsus dosage for weight loss health fitness bentonville ar weight loss medications pillsFinal Thoughts
Unlike common moles, atypical moles have multiple colors, irregular shapes and ragged borders. The melanocytes that make up an intradermal nevus are located in the dermis (below the dermo-epidermal junction). This mass of melanocytes pushes the cells above it upward, resulting in the flesh-colored bump that is noted on the surface of the skin. These clusters, often referred to as “nevus cells,” are derived from the neural crest during embryonic development and are normally found in the basal layer of the epidermis. Most nevi are acquired, meaning they appear after birth, with a peak in development during adolescence and early adulthood. A melanocytic naevus (American spelling ‘nevus’), or mole, is a common benign skin lesion due to a local proliferation of pigment cells (melanocytes).
It is sometimes called a naevocytic naevus or just 'naevus' (but note that there are other types of naevi). Nevi (singular nevus, moles) are flesh- to brown-colored macules, papules, or nodules composed of nests of melanocytes or nevus cells. Their main significance (other than cosmetic) is their resemblance and/or risk of transformation to melanoma.