What is the term for a freckle?

The term "ephelis" is specifically used to describe a freckle, which is a small spot on the skin that is typically tan or light brown and often appears in response to sun exposure. Freckles are related to the amount of melanin produced in the skin, and the presence of ephelides (plural for ephelis) is genetically determined, usually more common in individuals with lighter skin tones.

Understanding the characteristics of ephelides helps in distinguishing them from other skin conditions. For example, solar lentigo, often referred to as "age spots" or "liver spots," differs in that it typically appears as a larger, more defined patch resulting from prolonged sun exposure over time, rather than the smaller and more diffuse freckles that constitute ephelis.

Melanocytes are the cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color, but they do not refer to freckling itself. Catagen is a term associated with the hair growth cycle and has no direct relation to skin pigmentation or the presence of freckles.