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rhytidectomy

rhytidectomy

9.9
An operation to make the face look younger by removing wrinkles and tightening the skin
  • noun
  • /ˌrɪtɪˈdɛktəmi/
  • Specialized
translation icon : ritidectomía
  • After extensive research, she decided to undergo a rhytidectomy to eliminate the deep wrinkles on her forehead.

Examples

  • Conrad et al. applied ePTFE to the submental area as a suspension sling to support and aesthetically contour the submental area during rhytidectomy, with no complications and high patient satisfaction.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Many people seek a rhytidectomy to achieve a more youthful appearance by tightening their facial skin.

  • To reduce the visible portion of the scar, the operation begins with a standard rhytidectomy incision with a retrotragal component.

    Academic text (2005)
  • The surgeon explained that a rhytidectomy can significantly improve the signs of aging by lifting the skin around the face.

Synonyms

lift
vsrhytidectomy
  • Specialized
34 8.2

Surgery that tightens the face to reduce wrinkles and signs of aging

is the technical term preferred in medical contexts over casual shorthand
facelift
vsrhytidectomy
13 6.6

A surgery that makes the face look younger by tightening the skin and removing extra tissue

is the more technical medical name rather than the common phrase
face lift
vsrhytidectomy
  • Specialized
7 4.4

Surgery that tightens the skin on the face and removes extra tissue to make someone look younger

is the specialized medical term rather than the everyday label
rhytidoplasty
vsrhytidectomy
  • Specialized
1 9.9

An operation that makes the face look younger by removing wrinkles

has identical meaning and is an alternative medical name
nip and tuck
vsrhytidectomy
1 8.3

A small surgery on the face that removes wrinkles and tightens skin

is the formal medical name rather than an informal colloquial expression
face lifting
vsrhytidectomy
  • Specialized
5.1

Surgery that removes loose skin and tightens the face to look younger

is used as a medical term rather than a general activity phrase

Surface Forms

rhytidectomy singular
rhytidectomyy singular
rhytidectom singular

Morphology

rhytidectomy = rhytid (opaque) = rhytid + ectomy

Although the term is built from a combining form meaning 'wrinkle' plus '-ectomy' meaning surgical removal, the medical vocabulary is not transparent to an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Rhytidectomy comes from Greek parts: rhytid- meaning 'wrinkle' and -ectomy meaning 'cut out', the same -ectomy you see in appendectomy. So a rhytidectomy is literally cutting out wrinkles, which is why it means a surgical face-lift.