What does stria mean?
A stria is a narrow line, groove, or band, particularly one formed by tissue. In anatomy, the term can describe a slender strip or groove in an organ, including several distinct structures in the brain. The plural, striae, is especially familiar in dermatology, where it refers to stretch marks: elongated streaks that may develop when skin is rapidly stretched, often during pregnancy or adolescence. These marks are initially reddish or purplish and may later become pale or silvery. Although ordinary English speakers may recognize striae mainly in connection with skin, the singular stria remains most frequent in specialist anatomical contexts. Related adjectives and nouns include striate, striated, and striation, which describe something marked with fine lines or bands. The word is therefore useful for describing linear structures and markings that reveal the organization of tissues or the effects of physical change on the skin.
nounA stria is a narrow line, groove, or band, especially one formed by anatomical tissue. The plural striae is also commonly used for the pale or reddish stretch marks that can appear on the skin during pregnancy or rapid changes in body size.
- A narrow line, groove, or band, especially a band or groove of anatomical tissue.
- A fine line or streak on a surface; in medicine, striae may refer especially to stretch marks on the skin.
"The anatomical specimen displayed a fine stria running along the exposed surface."
"The scan revealed a narrow stria extending along the brain's inner surface."
"Pale striae appeared across her abdomen during the later months of pregnancy."
The plural is standard in anatomical descriptions and is especially common in medical references to stretch marks; it may be pronounced either with /iː/ or with a diphthong in /iːə/.
"The dermatologist examined faint striae across the patient's hips and thighs."
Striae reveal structure in the body, from delicate bands in the brain to the familiar stretch marks on skin.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does stria come from?
The word was borrowed into English from Latin stria, meaning a groove, furrow, or narrow line, particularly through scholarly and anatomical usage. Latin stria was itself borrowed from Greek striē, a word associated with a streak or channel. Through the Latin verb striare, related English words such as stripe and striking developed, while modern anatomical derivatives include striate and striation.
Related word forms
How stria is actually used
The word is mainly technical and is especially common in anatomy, histology, and dermatology. In reference to stretch marks, striae is normally plural and usually appears in the forms striae distensae or striae gravidarum.