Complex tips over a prominent deeper plexus

Capillaries with multiple apices and curved tips, above a visible deeper vascular network.

Capillaries with multiple apices and curved tips, above a visible deeper vascular network.
Capillaries with multiple apices and curved tips, above a visible deeper vascular network.

Image details

Pattern
Abnormal shapes and ramifications
Author or contributor
Borja Gracia Tello
Hallmarks
Abnormal shapes and ramificationsTortuous capillaries
Magnification
250×
Device
Smart G-Scope
Field of view (W × H)
≈ 2.28 × 1.28 mm
Open full-size image

Teaching point

Density is the number of visible capillaries per linear millimeter in the distal row.

Measurements and calibration

For nonbranching apices with stable automated measurements, estimated widths span approximately 17–31 µm. These are automated estimates, not manually validated measurements.

Clinical caveat

This image illustrates a visual finding and should be interpreted with acquisition quality, distribution across fingers, clinical context, and serology when relevant.

Use and licensing

Educational material. For reuse outside Capillaroscopy.com, request permission and preserve the stated attribution.

Related images

Back to atlas
200x nailfold capillaroscopy field with a branching capillary on the left sideBranching capillary on the left sideNailfold video capillaroscopy in anti-TIF-1gamma antibody-positive dermatomyositis showing enlarged, giant, and ramified capillariesDermatomyositis with giant and ramified capillariesA field from the normal reference study, showing the distal row of narrow loops. Use the full study to compare density and shape across fingers.Normal reference: distal capillary rowDark hemorrhagic deposits alongside capillary loops in the nonspecific reference study. Hemorrhage alone does not define a scleroderma pattern.Nonspecific pattern: hemorrhagic field