Naming Acquired Melanocytic Nevi Unnaʼs, Miescherʼs, Spitzʼs, Clarkʼs

Abstract

In order to have an integrated system to classify acquired melanocytic nevi, specifically those that evolve through junctional, compound, and dermal phases, we propose to name them for those who first recognized or popularized them: Unna, Miescher, Spitz, and Clark. Historical, philosophical, and semantic justifications for an eponymic classification of acquired melanocytic nevi are presented.