rheology may be conveniently divided into bulk rheology, in which effects due to the surface of the system can be neglected, and surface rheology, in which such effects are predominant. It should be noted that in surface rheology the neglect of bulk behaviour is permissible only in exceptional circumstances, such as for very thin films surrounded by a gas.
Source:
PAC, 1979, 51, 1213. 'Terminology and Symbols in Colloid and Surface Chemistry Part 1.13. Definitions, Terminology and Symbols for Rheological Properties' on page 1215 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac197951051213)