Melanocytes are pigment-producing cells scattered in the basal layer of the epidermis, about one per 5-10 basal cells. They pass the pigment melanin through branching arms to nearby keratinocytes.
| Location | Stratum basale of the epidermis; also hair bulbs, the eye (uvea) and inner ear |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Free nerve endings and Merkel cells from cutaneous nerves |
| Blood Supply | None (epidermis is avascular; nourished from dermal capillaries) |
| Venous drainage |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Make melanin, which colours skin and hair and shields cell nuclei from ultraviolet damage.
Skin colour depends on how much and what type of melanin is made, not on melanocyte numbers. Melanoma arises from melanocytes and is the most dangerous common skin cancer, so new or changing moles need checking. Vitiligo is autoimmune loss of melanocytes.
A malignant tumour of melanocytes that can spread early.
Autoimmune destruction of melanocytes causing white patches.
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