What is a nevus?

Derived from the Latin term meaning “spot” or “blemish,” nevus was originally used to describe a congenital lesion or birthmark (mother’s mark). In modern usage, the term describes a cutaneous hamartoma, or benign proliferation of cells. However, when the term is used without a descriptive adjective, it usually refers to a melanocytic nevus. Examples of nevi used in the context of a birthmark are epidermal nevus and nevus sebaceous.