parallel to the skin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "parallel to the skin" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is flat against a surface and follows along the same path as that surface. For example, "The snowboarder carved long, flowing lines in the powder, parallel to the skin of the mountain."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

In many animals, hardened corneal growths occur at the end of the digits, growing parallel to the skin surface.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The knife did not penetrate the chest cavity and struck no major organs, running parallel to the skin, though it did cut an artery and a large vein.

The New York Times

The only significant injuries were cuts on his upper and lower lips that probably came from a single punch, and a stab wound just below the collarbone that did not penetrate the chest cavity and ran parallel to the skin, said Dr. Dawson, a former deputy chief medical examiner who has since retired.

The New York Times

The denuded dermal layer is seen parallel to the skin of the breast (Fig. 2).

Insights into Imaging

Ultrasound: oval-shaped, hyperechoic mass of the subcutaneous fat, parallel to the skin.

Insights into Imaging

The denuded dermal layer of the abdominal tissue (arrow) is seen parallel to the skin of right breast.

Insights into Imaging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Although two possible sites can be used to prepare the double opposing flaps for placement parallel to the relaxed skin tension lines, the one that will not interfere with or distort adjacent anatomic landmarks should be selected.

Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

In addition, four segments of the final suture lines are parallel to the relaxed skin tension lines, which makes closure easy, and the resultant scar tissue is easily hidden in the natural creases.

Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Keep the flat of the blades parallel to the cat's skin, and cautiously snip the hair just above the level of the skin.

WikiHow

Keep the blades parallel to the dog's skin, and look carefully to make sure you are not about to snip any skin.

WikiHow

The reduction of depressive symptoms in patients with psoriasis treated with the TNF-antagonist etanercept parallel to the improvement of skin symptoms [ 23] could, therefore, be interpreted not only as an indirect effect, but also as a direct effect related to the modulation of peripheral or central neurological functions.

Archives of Dermatological Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing medical procedures, use "parallel to the skin" to clearly indicate the angle and direction of insertion, enhancing precision and avoiding ambiguity. For example when you need to clarify how a needle must be inserted.

Common error

Avoid confusing "parallel to the skin" with "perpendicular to the skin". Parallel indicates alignment along the surface, while perpendicular means at a right angle, leading to drastically different outcomes in procedures like injections or incisions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "parallel to the skin" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the direction or orientation of an action or object. For example, Ludwig provides instances such as "the needle should be injected parallel to the skin surface."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

70%

Wiki

15%

News & Media

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "parallel to the skin" is a prepositional phrase functioning as an adverbial modifier, commonly used to provide precise directional information, particularly in technical, scientific, and medical contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and well-suited for scenarios requiring clear spatial orientation. The phrase is frequently found in scientific literature, medical guides, and news reports related to health and procedures. When writing, ensure that "parallel to the skin" is used to clearly indicate alignment along the skin's surface, avoiding confusion with terms like "perpendicular". Alternatives include "aligned with the skin" and "in line with the skin".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aligned with the skin

Changes the preposition "to" with "with" and uses the adjective "aligned" instead of "parallel" maintaining the meaning of something being in the same direction or plane as the skin.

in line with the skin

Replaces "parallel" with "in line", emphasizing the linear correspondence to the skin's surface.

equidistant from the skin

Focuses on maintaining a constant distance from the skin, which implies parallelism but adds a nuance of spatial relationship.

alongside the skin

Uses "alongside" to indicate a position next to and running in the same direction as the skin.

running with the skin

Emphasizes the continuous extension in the same direction as the skin.

concentric with the skin

Implies a shared center or axis with the skin, used when describing curved or circular structures.

tangential to the skin

Describes something touching the skin at a single point, maintaining the same direction at that point.

coplanar with the skin

Indicates that something lies in the same plane as the skin.

adjacent to the skin

Indicates that something lies near or close to the skin. Semantic transformation is significant.

contiguous to the skin

Describes something being in contact with and sharing a border with the skin, but not necessarily parallel.

FAQs

How is "parallel to the skin" used in medical contexts?

In medicine, "parallel to the skin" is used to describe the direction of a medical instrument, such as a needle, in relation to the skin's surface. It indicates that the instrument should be aligned with the skin rather than inserted at an angle.

What's the difference between "aligned with the skin" and "parallel to the skin"?

While both phrases indicate a similar orientation, "parallel to the skin" specifically denotes that something runs alongside the skin without intersecting, while "aligned with the skin" may imply a broader sense of being in agreement or correspondence with the skin's surface.

When should I use "in line with the skin" instead of "parallel to the skin"?

"Parallel to the skin" is suitable when describing the orientation of objects or lines, while "in line with the skin" is best used when describing things are positioned on the same direction.

Is there a difference in formality between "parallel to the skin" and "aligned with the skin"?

The phrase "parallel to the skin" tends to be more commonly used in technical or scientific contexts, while "aligned with the skin" can be used in a broader range of situations. The level of formality is mostly the same.