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Glite Dictionary
melanosis

melanosis

9.7
Dark patches that form when the body stores extra pigment, often on the skin
  • noun
  • /ˌmɛləˈnoʊsɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : melanosis
  • The dermatologist diagnosed the patient with melanosis after noticing dark patches on her skin.

Examples

  • Intestinal melanosis is rare and often discovered incidentally during examinations.

  • The doctor diagnosed her with melanosis after examining her skin.

  • Chronic exposure to certain chemicals can lead to melanosis in affected individuals.

  • Many patients with melanosis experience changes in skin pigmentation.

  • The dermatologist diagnosed the patient with melanosis after noticing dark patches on her skin.

  • Chronic exposure to certain chemicals can lead to melanosis in affected individuals.

  • Many patients with melanosis experience changes in skin pigmentation.

Synonyms

hyperpigmentation
vsmelanosis
  • Specialized
1 7.7

Skin that becomes darker in some areas because it has more colour, often after sun, injury, or illness

refers specifically to abnormal melanin deposits rather than any pigment darkening
melanoderma
vsmelanosis
  • Specialized
9.9

Dark skin in an area caused by extra melanin

is broader, applying to abnormal melanin deposits beyond just the skin
melanism
vsmelanosis
  • Specialized
9.7

A condition in which animals and people have extra dark pigment and very dark skin, fur or feathers

is narrower, used mainly for abnormal melanin deposits visible on skin
chromatism
vsmelanosis
  • Specialized
9.9

An unusual color change in skin or body tissues

is about abnormal melanin deposits causing dark patches rather than general color change

Antonyms

hypopigmentation
  • Specialized
1 8.8

A part of the skin that is lighter than normal because it has less color

Surface Forms

melanosis singular
melanoses plural

Morphology

melanosis = melanin (transparent) = melan + osis

The formation is clear to learners: 'melanin' (pigment) + medical suffix '-osis' indicating a condition related to melanin.

Etymology

Melanosis comes from the Greek root melan- meaning 'black' and the ending -osis meaning 'condition'. So melanosis means a 'black condition' — the same root appears in melanin and melanoma, and it refers to dark patches where extra melanin makes the skin look darker.