Applicability of Eponyms in Modern Human Anatomy

Abstract

The aim of study is to analyze applicability and features of eponymous terms in modern human anatomy.

Material and methods. Anatomical terms of the International anatomical terminology are compared with the available eponyms used in anatomy and morphology in general. Several tables of correspondence were developed based on the results of this comparison.

Results. Eponymous terms are shown to be extremely unsystematic; this fact does not allow us to determine the possible meaning of the term if its exact interpretation is not known. In addition, such terms are vague failing to establish logical connections between the terms of one authorship (except for the very fact of one authorship). The eponymous terminology is overabundant, i.e. one and the same structure or formation may have several names, or individual names may belong to minor parts of the same unit. Despite the abundancy, eponyms are limited, since several structures completely different from the point of view of the anatomical nomenclature can be hidden under the same author’s name, which does not allow to accurately identifying one or another formation outside the context of the use of the term. The use of eponymous terms very often has a pronounced national specificity and is associated with the origins of such names, the fact significantly limiting the use of this terminology in the international arena. On the other hand, they give a certain national flavor to the subject, guide us into the history of medicine, and also, in some cases, facilitate digestion of knowledge in a subject.