One tortuous loop among long descending hairpins

A long tortuous capillary near the left-center, surrounded by straighter elongated hairpin loops of different widths.

A long tortuous capillary near the left-center, surrounded by straighter elongated hairpin loops of different widths.
A long tortuous capillary near the left-center, surrounded by straighter elongated hairpin loops of different widths.

Image details

Pattern
Tortuous capillaries
Author or contributor
Borja Gracia Tello
Hallmarks
Tortuous capillariesUnequal capillary calibers
Magnification
250×
Device
Smart G-Scope
Open full-size image

Teaching point

One isolated abnormal shape may be nonspecific.

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

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A 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 fieldHairpin capillaries with rounded apices of different widths. The deeper vascular network is visible.A capillary row above the deeper vascular networkSlender capillaries with rounded apices and mildly tortuous limbs, especially right of center.Straight apices above winding limbs