What is "melanosis"

Melanosis \Mel`a*no"sis\, [NL., fr. Gr. ? a growing black, fr. me`las, me`lanos, black.] (Med.) The morbid deposition of black matter, often of a malignant character, causing pigmented tumors.

1823, medical Latin, from Greek melanosis "a becoming black," from melanoun "to become black," from melas (genitive melanos); see melanin. Related: Melanotic.

n. (context medicine English) The morbid deposition of black matter, often of a malignant character, causing pigmented tumours.

n. a condition characterized by abnormal deposits of melanin (especially in the skin) [syn: melanism]

Melanosis is a form of hyperpigmentation associated with increased melanin.

It can also refer to:

• Melanism
• Ocular melanosis
• Smoker's melanosis
• Oral melanosis
• Riehl melanosis