Junctional, compound or dermal architecture

Bandlike arrangement of upper dermal melanocytes

Periadnexal/perivascular grouping of melanocytes

Extension into deep reticular dermis and/or subcutaneous fat

Splaying of melanocytes among reticular dermal collagen into deep portions

Orderly maturation of dermal component

Upward epidermal migration isolated phenomenon in otherwise benign nevi

Seen in 7% of nevi in children <14 years

Melanocytes usually confined to lower half of epidermis

Nests predominate over single cells