Nevus cell
Encyclopedia
Nevus cells are a variant of melanocytes. They are larger than typical melanocytes, do not have dendrites
, and have more abundant cytoplasm
with coarse granules. They are usually located at the dermoepidermal junction
or in the dermis
of the skin. Dermal nevus cells can be further classified: type A (epithelioid) dermal nevus cells mature into type B (lymphocytoid) dermal nevus cells which mature further into type C (neuroid) dermal nevus cells, through a process involving downwards migration.
Nevus cells are the primary component of a melanocytic nevus
.
Nevus cells can also be found in lymph nodes and the thymus
.
Dendrite (non-neuronal)
A dendrite is a branching projection of the cytoplasm of a cell. While the term is most commonly used to refer to the branching projections of neurons, it can also be used to refer to features of other types of cells that, while having a similar appearance, are actually quite distinct...
, and have more abundant cytoplasm
Cytoplasm
The cytoplasm is a small gel-like substance residing between the cell membrane holding all the cell's internal sub-structures , except for the nucleus. All the contents of the cells of prokaryote organisms are contained within the cytoplasm...
with coarse granules. They are usually located at the dermoepidermal junction
Dermoepidermal junction
The dermoepidermal junction is the area of tissue that joins the epidermal and the dermal layers of the skin. The basal cells in the stratum basale of the epidermis connect to the basement membrane by hemidesmosomes; the cells of the papillary layer of the dermis are attached to the basement...
or in the dermis
Dermis
The dermis is a layer of skin between the epidermis and subcutaneous tissues, and is composed of two layers, the papillary and reticular dermis...
of the skin. Dermal nevus cells can be further classified: type A (epithelioid) dermal nevus cells mature into type B (lymphocytoid) dermal nevus cells which mature further into type C (neuroid) dermal nevus cells, through a process involving downwards migration.
Nevus cells are the primary component of a melanocytic nevus
Melanocytic nevus
A melanocytic nevus is a type of lesion that contains nevus cells .Some sources equate the term mole with "melanocytic nevus". Other sources reserve the term "mole" for other purposes....
.
Nevus cells can also be found in lymph nodes and the thymus
Thymus
The thymus is a specialized organ of the immune system. The thymus produces and "educates" T-lymphocytes , which are critical cells of the adaptive immune system....
.