Onychorrhexis
Pronunciation: on-ih-koh-REK-sis
Longitudinal ridging and splitting of the nail plate, resulting in a brittle nail appearance often associated with ageing or systemic disease.
Full Definition
Onychorrhexis describes a nail disorder characterised by parallel longitudinal striations and a tendency for the nail plate to split or break along these ridges. It can be idiopathic (most commonly associated with ageing) or secondary to systemic conditions such as iron deficiency, thyroid disorders, or lichen planus. Editors working in dermatology or rheumatology documents should note that 'onychorrhexis' refers to ridging and splitting, as distinct from 'onychoschisis', which denotes lamellar (horizontal) splitting of the distal nail. The 'onych-' root (from Greek for nail) appears across multiple dermatology terms.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from 'onychoschisis' (lamellar splitting) and 'onycholysis' (nail plate separation). Verify spelling: single 'r' in the prefix, double 'r' at the root junction.
In Context
- "The patient presented with onychorrhexis affecting all fingernails, which was attributed to long-standing lichen planus." — Dermatology outpatient letter
- "Onychorrhexis must be distinguished from onychoschisis when documenting nail changes in connective tissue disease reviews." — Editorial style note