What is a nevus commonly referred to as?

A nevus is commonly referred to as a birthmark because it is a benign growth of melanocytes, cells that produce the pigment melanin, which can appear on the skin at birth or develop shortly after. These marks can vary in color and size and are generally harmless. Their presence is often due to genetic factors, and they can be present in a variety of forms, such as moles or pigmented lesions.

The term "birthmark" is widely understood by the general public, making it a common reference for nevus. This distinguishes it from other skin conditions or imperfections, such as acne scars, which result from a different process involving the healing of acne lesions, or sunspots, which are caused by UV exposure and are also distinct from a nevus. While a nevus is indeed a type of skin lesion, the term "birthmark" is more specific and commonly used in everyday language to identify these pigmented marks.