(mak'ūl‵ )

[L. macula, spot]

A flat spot on the skin whose color may be lighter or darker than the surrounding skin. Some common examples are freckles, petechiae, and vitiligo. SYN: macula (2).

café au lait m.Pale brown areas of increased melanin in the skin. The sites are usually 0.8 to 8 in. (2 to 20 cm) in diameter with irregular borders. They appear in infancy and tend to disappear with age. These macules are occasionally markers for systemic disease (e.g., neurofibromatosis).

melanotic m.A small, brown to black lesion of the oral mucosa that is usually less than 1 cm in diameter, solitary, and asymptomatic. In most instances, this type of macule is benign and requires no therapy. It can, however, be due to melanoma, which requires immediate, vigorous therapy. When it is benign, it may be due to Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, physiologic pigmentation, Addison's disease, or healing of traumatic lesions; or it may be secondary to a variety of medications.

syphilitic m.A small red eruption manifested in secondary syphilis. These eruptions often cover the entire body and are associated with chancre or scar, alopecia, pain in bones, swollen gland s, and sore throat.