Nomenclature proposal for the zones and landmarks of the balding scalp.

BACKGROUND

Up until now there has existed no precise, agreed-upon terminology for referring to the areas of the balding scalp.

OBJECTIVE

A standardized nomenclature system for the areas of the balding scalp is proposed so that physicians and other paraprofessionals can have a common, precise language for communicating with each other.

METHODS

The following, in its initial form, was proposed to the surgical hair restoration community in the Hair Transplant Forum International in 1998. This final proposal includes feedback and input from those physicians.

RESULTS

The balding scalp is divided into three major areas: the frontal region, the midscalp, and the vertex. Additional "subregions" are also defined, and long-standing landmarks of the scalp and its borders are reviewed. A new landmark, the "vertex transition point," is proposed, to designate that point in the posterior midscalp where the plane begins to change from horizontal to vertical.

CONCLUSION

It is hoped that a universal nomenclature system for the scalp will facilitate communication between hair surgeons, other medical specialties, nonsurgical hair replacement personnel, and hair stylists.