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Macule ( Fig. 4-1 and Fig. 4-2) A macule is a circumscribed area of epidermis or mucosa distinguished by color from its surroundings. The macule may appear alone or in groups. The macule may appear as a stain or spot that is blue, brown, or black in color. The macule is neither elevated nor depressed and may be of any size. Most frequently the term ``macule'' is reserved for lesions 1 cm or smaller. It may represent a normal condition, a variant of normal or local or systemic disease. The term macule would be used to clinically describe the following conditions: oral melanotic macule, ephelis, amalgam tatoo, and focal argyrosis. Conditions that appear as macules are discussed in detail under Pigmented Lesions (Figs.46-1 through 48-8).