What is the technical term for liver spots?

The correct term for liver spots is "chloasma." Chloasma refers specifically to pigmentary changes that occur on the skin, often appearing as brown or gray-brown patches. This condition is commonly associated with sun exposure and is seen in areas of the skin that are frequently exposed to sunlight, such as the face, forearms, and hands.

Chloasma can also be referred to as "melasma" in some discussions, particularly in relation to hormonal changes and pregnancy. However, in the context of the term "liver spots," chloasma is the more precise term, as it historically describes these age-related blemishes that resemble the condition’s name derived from "chloas," meaning a greenish or yellowish color in Greek.

Keratosis refers to a thickening of the outer layer of the skin, often associated with sun damage or other skin conditions, but it does not specifically denote age spots or pigmentation issues. Dermatitis is a general term for inflammation of the skin and does not specifically relate to pigmentation changes. Thus, chloasma is the most accurate term to describe what are colloquially known as liver spots.