Histologic features of melanocytic nevi of the glabrous/nonglabrous skin transition zone

Clinical and histopathologic features of a melanocytic nevus located on a transition area (the fourth interdigital area of the right foot) of a 23-year-old patient.

(A, B, C) In all of the histopathologic photographs (hematoxylin and eosin stain), we see that melanocytes proliferate mainly as solitary units within the epidermis, and many of them are situated above the dermoepidermal junction, mimicking histopathologic features of melanoma in situ. However, the overall distribution of melanocytes within the lesion is mostly symmetrical and orderly. The nuclei of melanocytes are relatively large but not hyperchromatic; instead, they are vesicular. In addition, there is virtually no inflammatory cell infiltrate in the dermis. The original magnifications are ×12, ×38, and ×84 for panels A, B, and C, respectively.