Melanocyte

Melanocytes Listeni/mɛˈlænɵsaɪt/ are melanin-producing cells located in the bottom layer (the stratum basale) of the skin's epidermis, the middle layer of the eye (the uvea), the inner ear, meninges, bones, and heart.

Melanin is the pigment primarily responsible for skin color. Once synthesised, melanin is contained in a special organelle called a melanosome and moved along arm-like structures called dendrites, so as to reach the keratinocytes.

Although CNS melanoma most commonly presents as metastasis from a distant lesion, primary CNS melanoma can occur and arises from melanocytic cells intrinsic to the CNS.

The melanocyte is derived from the neural crest (NC) in the forebrain and migrates to the meninges from a common migratory precursor in the trunk. Truncal meninges are believed to come from paraxial somitic mesoderm, not NC. Tumors from melanocytes can be benign melanocytomas, malignant melanomas, and intermediate-grade melanocytomas

Melanocytes may cause primary melanocytic neoplasms which can be classified as melanocytoma (benign end of the spectrum), intermediate grade melanocytic neoplasms, and primary malignant melanoma. These neoplasms can be differentiated histologically based on the identification of mitotic activity, cytological atypia, necrosis, and invasion of the adjacent structures.