melanosis coli

melanosis coli A benign, reversible condition that is usually, but not always, associated with longterm use of laxatives in which pigment deposition in the lamina propria of the large intestine results in a brown to black discoloration of the mucosa (lining) of the large intestine. Melanosis coli is sometimes called pseudomelanosis coli because the pigment deposited is lipofuscin and not melanin, as the name implies. Melanosis coli produces no symptoms.