Linea nigra, denoted by its Latin translation "black line", colloquially known as the pregnancy line, manifests as a linear area of heightened pigmentation frequently observed on the abdominal region during pregnancy.[1] Typically spanning approximately one centimeter (0.4 in) in width, this brownish streak extends vertically along the midline of the abdomen, spanning from the pubis to the umbilicus. Variably, it may traverse from the pubis to the upper abdominal region.[2]
Linea nigra as seen in a pregnant woman
For pregnant women, the emergence of linea nigra is attributed to an increased production of melanocyte-stimulating hormone by the placenta.[3] This physiological phenomenon is concomitant with the occurrence of melasma and darkened nipples. Individuals with lighter skin pigmentation tend to exhibit this phenomenon less frequently in comparison to those possessing darker pigmentation.[4] It is typical for the linea nigra to fade and dissipate within several months following childbirth.
Although predominantly associated with pregnancy, it can manifest in both males and females of all ages. Beyond the gestational context, its prevalence is found to be uniformly elevated in both sexes during the ages of 11 to 15. This is potentially attributable to hormonal fluctuations characteristic of puberty. After age 15, the prevalence of the linea nigra in both males and females declines. Particularly in postpubescent females, it often serves as an indicator of elevated benign estrogens. The prevalence of this phenomenon in both genders drops below 10% following the age of 30. Furthermore, its appearance may ensue after rapid weight gain over a short interval. It could also rarely serve as an indicator of underlying hormonal imbalances, genetic disorders, malignancy, inflammation, or even fungal infections.[5]
Additional imagesedit
Woman nurses twins six days after birth. The linea nigra is still visible.
A Cesarean sectionscar (horizontal red line) and linea nigra visible on a 31-year-old woman seven weeks after childbirth.
^Okeke, Linus Ikechukwu; George, Adekunle Olufemi; Ogunbiyi, Adebola Olufunmilayo; Wachtel, Mitchelle (November 2012). "Prevalence of linea nigra in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate carcinoma". International Journal of Dermatology. 51: 41–43. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2012.05564.x. ISSN 0011-9059. PMID 23210957. S2CID 21882972.
^She Knows Network: "What's that line? All about linea nigra" 2008-02-20 at the Wayback Machine
^Heffner, Linda (2010). The Reproductive System at a Glance. Wiley-Blackwell. pp. 51. ISBN978-1-4051-9452-5.
^Pregmed, Editor (2014-11-15). . Pregmed. Archived from the original on 22 February 2015. Retrieved 22 February 2015. {{cite web}}: |first1= has generic name (help)
^Olufemi, George, Adekunle Olufemi Shittu, Olayiwola Babatunde Enwerem, Eokezie Wachtel, Mitchell Kuti. The incidence of lower mid-trunk hyperpigmentation (linea nigra) is affected by sex hormone levels. National Medical Association. OCLC 678245464.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
Media related to Linea nigra at Wikimedia Commons
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linea, nigra, denoted, latin, translation, black, line, colloquially, known, pregnancy, line, manifests, linear, area, heightened, pigmentation, frequently, observed, abdominal, region, during, pregnancy, typically, spanning, approximately, centimeter, width, . Linea nigra denoted by its Latin translation black line colloquially known as the pregnancy line manifests as a linear area of heightened pigmentation frequently observed on the abdominal region during pregnancy 1 Typically spanning approximately one centimeter 0 4 in in width this brownish streak extends vertically along the midline of the abdomen spanning from the pubis to the umbilicus Variably it may traverse from the pubis to the upper abdominal region 2 Linea nigra as seen in a pregnant womanFor pregnant women the emergence of linea nigra is attributed to an increased production of melanocyte stimulating hormone by the placenta 3 This physiological phenomenon is concomitant with the occurrence of melasma and darkened nipples Individuals with lighter skin pigmentation tend to exhibit this phenomenon less frequently in comparison to those possessing darker pigmentation 4 It is typical for the linea nigra to fade and dissipate within several months following childbirth Although predominantly associated with pregnancy it can manifest in both males and females of all ages Beyond the gestational context its prevalence is found to be uniformly elevated in both sexes during the ages of 11 to 15 This is potentially attributable to hormonal fluctuations characteristic of puberty After age 15 the prevalence of the linea nigra in both males and females declines Particularly in postpubescent females it often serves as an indicator of elevated benign estrogens The prevalence of this phenomenon in both genders drops below 10 following the age of 30 Furthermore its appearance may ensue after rapid weight gain over a short interval It could also rarely serve as an indicator of underlying hormonal imbalances genetic disorders malignancy inflammation or even fungal infections 5 Additional images edit nbsp Woman nurses twins six days after birth The linea nigra is still visible nbsp A Cesarean section scar horizontal red line and linea nigra visible on a 31 year old woman seven weeks after childbirth See also editChadwick s sign Linea alba List of cutaneous conditions Perineal rapheReferences edit Okeke Linus Ikechukwu George Adekunle Olufemi Ogunbiyi Adebola Olufunmilayo Wachtel Mitchelle November 2012 Prevalence of linea nigra in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate carcinoma International Journal of Dermatology 51 41 43 doi 10 1111 j 1365 4632 2012 05564 x ISSN 0011 9059 PMID 23210957 S2CID 21882972 She Knows Network What s that line All about linea nigra Archived 2008 02 20 at the Wayback Machine Heffner Linda 2010 The Reproductive System at a Glance Wiley Blackwell pp 51 ISBN 978 1 4051 9452 5 Pregmed Editor 2014 11 15 Linea nigra and pregnancy Pregmed Archived from the original on 22 February 2015 Retrieved 22 February 2015 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a first1 has generic name help Olufemi George Adekunle Olufemi Shittu Olayiwola Babatunde Enwerem Eokezie Wachtel Mitchell Kuti The incidence of lower mid trunk hyperpigmentation linea nigra is affected by sex hormone levels National Medical Association OCLC 678245464 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint multiple names authors list link nbsp Media related to Linea nigra at Wikimedia Commons nbsp This medical sign article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Linea nigra amp oldid 1206409315, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
