Which term refers to a pigmented nevus on the skin?

The term that refers to a pigmented nevus on the skin is a mole. A mole, medically known as a nevus, is a common skin growth that typically appears as a small, dark brown spot due to the grouping of melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing the pigment melanin. Moles can be either flat or raised and can vary in color and size, making them distinct from other skin conditions.

In contrast, a pimple is an inflamed blemish caused by clogged pores and does not involve pigmentation in the way a mole does. A freckle, while also pigmented, is usually smaller, flat, and more uniformly distributed, resulting from an increase in melanin production due to sun exposure rather than a grouping of cells like in a mole. A wart is a benign growth caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and is not pigmented in the same way as a mole, typically having a rough texture and differing in origin and appearance. Thus, the term "mole" accurately describes a pigmented nevus.