Rhytide
Pronunciation: RIT-id (singular); RIT-ih-deez (plural)
The clinical and literary term for a wrinkle or skin crease, used in formal dermatological and cosmetic surgery writing.
Full Definition
Rhytide (plural: rhytides) is the formal medical term for a wrinkle, furrow, or crease in the skin resulting from intrinsic aging, photodamage, repetitive muscular movement, or volume loss. It is subcategorised as a dynamic rhytide (caused by muscle movement) or a static rhytide (present at rest). The term appears frequently in peer-reviewed dermatology literature and clinical trial reports where 'wrinkle' would be considered insufficiently precise. Editors working on clinical manuscripts should use 'rhytide' in formal contexts and 'wrinkle' only in patient-facing or semi-formal copy. The plural form 'rhytides' is often misspelled as 'rhytids'.
Usage
Usage note: Prefer 'rhytide/rhytides' in peer-reviewed and clinical regulatory copy. 'Wrinkle' is acceptable in patient-facing documents. Avoid the non-standard plural 'rhytids'.
In Context
- "Periorbital rhytides were graded on a four-point validated scale prior to neuromodulator injection." — Clinical trial report
- "The author used 'wrinkle' throughout; the copy-editor standardized this to 'rhytide' in accordance with the journal's house style." — Journal manuscript editing