


[mel-uh-noh-sis] /ˌmɛl əˈnoʊ sɪs/

noun, Pathology.
abnormal deposition or development of black or dark pigment in the tissues.
a discoloration caused by this.
(pathol) a skin condition characterized by excessive deposits of melanin

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

melanosis mel·a·no·sis (měl’ə-nō’sĭs)
Abnormally dark pigmentation of the skin or other tissues, resulting from a disorder of pigment metabolism. Also called melanism.
mel’a·not’ic (-nŏt’ĭk) adj.


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    melanosis coli melanosis co·li (kō’lī) n. Melanosis of the mucosa of the large intestine, due to accumulation of pigment within macrophages in the lamina propria mucosae.

  • Melanosome

    [muh-lan-uh-sohm, mel-uh-nuh-] /məˈlæn əˌsoʊm, ˈmɛl ə nə-/ noun, Cell Biology. 1. an organelle in melanocytes that synthesizes and stores melanin. melanosome mel·a·no·some (měl’ə-nō-sōm’, mə-lān’ə-) n. Any of the usually oval pigment granules that are produced by melanocytes.

  • Melanospermous

    [muh-lan-oh-spur-muh s, mel-uh-noh-] /məˌlæn oʊˈspɜr məs, ˌmɛl ə noʊ-/ adjective 1. having dark spores, as certain seaweeds.

  • Melanotic

    [mel-uh-not-ik] /ˌmɛl əˈnɒt ɪk/ adjective, Pathology. 1. of or affected with melanosis.
