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| {{Short description|Specialized dictionary covering medicine terms}} | | {{Short description|A comprehensive resource of medical terms and definitions}} |
| {{For|this functionality on Wikipedia|Glossary of medicine}} | | {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}} |
| [[File:A medical dictionary for nurses (1914).jpg|thumb|Definition page from Amy Pope's 'A medical dictionary for nurses' (1914)]]
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| A '''medical dictionary''' is a [[lexicon]] for words used in [[medicine]]. The four major medical dictionaries in the [[United States]] are ''[[Mosby's Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing & Health Professions]]'', ''[[Stedman's]]'', ''[[Taber's]]'', and [[Dorland's Medical Dictionary|''Dorland's'']]. Other significant medical dictionaries are distributed by [[Elsevier]]. Dictionaries often have multiple versions, with content adapted for different user groups. For example Stedman's Concise Medical Dictionary and Dorland's are for general use and allied health care, while the full text editions are reference works used by medical students, doctors, and health professionals. Medical dictionaries are commonly available in print, online, or as downloadable [[software]] packages for [[personal computer]]s and [[smartphone]]s.
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| == History == | | ==Medical Dictionary== |
| [[File:James's medical dictionary, explanation of the tables Wellcome L0022702.jpg|thumb|A page from Robert James's ''A Medicinal Dictionary''; London, 1743-45]]
| | A '''medical dictionary''' is a specialized [[dictionary]] that provides definitions and explanations of terms and concepts used in the field of [[medicine]]. These dictionaries are essential tools for [[healthcare professionals]], [[medical students]], and anyone involved in the medical field, as they offer precise and authoritative information on medical terminology. |
| [[File:Appleton's medical dictionary (1916) (14761505181).jpg|thumb|An illustration from ''Appleton's Medical Dictionary''; edited by S. E. Jelliffe (1916)]] | |
| The earliest known glossaries of medical terms were discovered on Egyptian papyrus authored around 1600 B.C.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Sigerist|first=HE|title=A History of Medicine. I. Primitive and Archaic Medicine|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=1950|location=New York|pages=298-318}}</ref> Other precursors to modern medical dictionaries include lists of terms compiled from the [[Hippocratic Corpus]] in the first century AD.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Craik|first=Elizabeth|date=2017|title=The Lexicographer Erotian as a Guide to the Hippocratic Corpus|url=https://www.clsoc.jp/JASCA/jasca_2017.html|journal=JASCA (Japan Studies in Classical Antiquity)|volume=3|pages=3-16}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Ambrose|first=Charles|date=2005-04-01|title=A Short History of Medical Dictionaries|url=https://uknowledge.uky.edu/microbio_facpub/35|journal=The Pharos of Alpha Omega Alpha-Honor Medical Society|volume=68|issue=2|pages=24–27}}</ref>
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| The ''[[Synonyma Simonis Genuensis]]'' (the ''Synonyms'' of [[Simon of Genoa]]), attributed to the physician to [[Pope Nicholas IV]] in the year 1288, was printed by Antonius Zarotus at Milan in 1473. Referring to a copy held in the library
| | ==Purpose and Importance== |
| of the [[College of Physicians of Philadelphia]], Henry wrote in 1905 that "It is the first edition of the first medical dictionary."<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Med Library Hist J. |date=January 1905 |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=27–40 |title=A Review of the First Book on the Diseases of the Eye, by Benvenutus Grassus, 1474: Exhibition of Three Other Fifteenth Century Monographs (a) The First Medical Dictionary, Synonyma Simonis Genuensis, 1473; (b) The First Book on Diet, By Isaac, 1487, (c) The Second Edition of The First Book on Diseases of Children, By Paulus Bagellardus, 1487. |author=Henry FP |pmid=18340862 |pmc=1692319}}</ref> However, this claim is disputed as the composition only included lists of herbs and drugs.<ref name=":0" /> By the time of [[Antonio Guaineri]] (died in 1440<ref>Luke DeMaitre {{google books|ZfpeAQAAQBAJ|Medieval Medicine: The Art of Healing, from Head to Toe (2013)|page=208}}</ref>) and [[Savonarola]], this work was used alongside others by [[Oribasius]], [[Isidore of Seville]], [[Mondino dei Liuzzi]], [[Serapion the Younger|Serapion]], and [[Pietro d'Abano]]. Then, as now, writers struggled with the terminology used in various translations from earlier Greek, Latin, Hebrew, and Arabic works. Later works by [[Jacques Desparts]] and [[Jacopo Berengario da Carpi]] continued building on the ''Synonyma''.<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Osiris |author=Danielle Jacquart |title=Theory, everyday practice, and three fifteenth-century physicians |volume=6 |year=1990 |pages=140–160 |jstor=301784 |doi=10.1086/368698}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Summula per alphabetum super plurimis remediis et ipsius |language=Latin |author=Jacobi Partibus |author-link=Jacobi Partibus |year=1500 |url=http://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb37229239v }}</ref>
| | The primary purpose of a medical dictionary is to provide clear and concise definitions of medical terms. This is crucial for ensuring effective communication among healthcare providers and for the accurate interpretation of medical literature. Medical dictionaries help in: |
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| ==Definitions==
| | * Understanding complex medical terms and [[jargon]]. |
| In medical dictionaries, [[definition]]s should <!-- 'should' is not a very Wikipedia word ?? -->to the greatest extent possible be:
| | * Facilitating accurate [[diagnosis]] and [[treatment]] by providing standardized definitions. |
| *Simple and easy to understand,<ref name=McPherson1998>{{Cite journal | doi = 10.1542/peds.102.1.137 | last1 = McPherson | first1 = M. | last2 = Arango | first2 = P. | last3 = Fox | first3 = H. | last4 = Lauver | first4 = C. | last5 = McManus | first5 = M. | last6 = Newacheck | first6 = P. W. | last7 = Perrin | first7 = J. M. | last8 = Shonkoff | first8 = J. P. | last9 = Strickland | first9 = B. | title = A new definition of children with special health care needs | journal = Pediatrics | volume = 102 | issue = 1 Pt 1 | pages = 137–140 | year = 1998 | pmid = 9714637}}</ref> preferably even by the general public<ref name=Morse1992>{{cite journal | last1 = Morse | first1 = R. M. | last2 = Flavin | first2 = D. K. | year = 1992 | title = The Definition of Alcoholism | journal = JAMA | volume = 268 | pmid = 1501306 | issue = 8 | pages = 1012–1014 | doi = 10.1001/jama.1992.03490080086030 }}</ref> | | * Assisting in the education and training of medical students and professionals. |
| *Useful clinically<ref name=Morse1992/> or in related areas where the definition will be used.<ref name=McPherson1998/> | | * Enhancing patient education by providing understandable explanations of medical conditions and procedures. |
| *Specific,<ref name=McPherson1998/> that is, by reading the definition only, it should ideally not be possible to refer to any other entity than the one being defined. | |
| *Measurable<ref name=McPherson1998/>
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| *Reflecting current scientific knowledge<ref name=McPherson1998/><ref name=Morse1992/>
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| ==See also== | | ==Structure and Content== |
| *[[Acronyms in healthcare]]
| | Medical dictionaries typically include: |
| *[[Medical classification]]
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| *[[Medical terminology]]
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| ==References==
| | * '''Definitions''': Clear and concise explanations of medical terms. |
| {{Reflist}}
| | * '''Pronunciations''': Phonetic guides to help with the correct pronunciation of terms. |
| | * '''Etymology''': Information on the origin and history of terms, often derived from [[Latin]] or [[Greek language|Greek]]. |
| | * '''Synonyms and Antonyms''': Alternative terms and their opposites. |
| | * '''Illustrations and Diagrams''': Visual aids to enhance understanding of complex concepts. |
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| ==External links== | | ==Types of Medical Dictionaries== |
| * [https://curlie.org/Reference/Dictionaries/By_Subject/Medicine/ Directory of Medical Dictionaries on Curlie]
| | There are several types of medical dictionaries, each serving different needs: |
| * [https://openmd.com/dictionary/medical-dictionaries Directory of Medical Dictionaries on OpenMD]
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| * [https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary]
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| * [https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/ TheFreeDictionary: Medical Dictionary]
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| * [https://play.google.com/store/search?q=medical%20dictionary&c=apps Android Medical Dictionaries on Google Play]
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| * [https://search.itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZSearch.woa/wa/search?media=software&term=medical+dictionary iOS Medical Dictionaries on Apple App Store]
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| {{Lexicography}}
| | * '''General Medical Dictionaries''': Comprehensive resources covering a wide range of medical terms and concepts. |
| | * '''Specialized Medical Dictionaries''': Focused on specific fields such as [[cardiology]], [[neurology]], or [[oncology]]. |
| | * '''Online Medical Dictionaries''': Digital versions that offer quick access to information and are often updated more frequently than print versions. |
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| [[Category:Medical dictionaries| ]] | | ==Usage in Medical Education== |
| [[Category:Dictionaries by type]] | | Medical dictionaries are invaluable in [[medical education]], providing students with a reliable source of information. They are used in: |
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| | * '''Coursework and Assignments''': Assisting students in understanding and using medical terminology correctly. |
| | * '''Research''': Offering definitions and explanations that support academic research and writing. |
| | * '''Clinical Practice''': Helping students and professionals communicate effectively with colleagues and patients. |
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| | ==Related Pages== |
| | * [[Medical terminology]] |
| | * [[Healthcare]] |
| | * [[Medical education]] |
| | * [[Medical literature]] |
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| | [[Category:Medical dictionaries]] |
| | [[Category:Medical education]] |
| | [[Category:Healthcare]] |
A comprehensive resource of medical terms and definitions
Medical Dictionary[edit]
A medical dictionary is a specialized dictionary that provides definitions and explanations of terms and concepts used in the field of medicine. These dictionaries are essential tools for healthcare professionals, medical students, and anyone involved in the medical field, as they offer precise and authoritative information on medical terminology.
Purpose and Importance[edit]
The primary purpose of a medical dictionary is to provide clear and concise definitions of medical terms. This is crucial for ensuring effective communication among healthcare providers and for the accurate interpretation of medical literature. Medical dictionaries help in:
- Understanding complex medical terms and jargon.
- Facilitating accurate diagnosis and treatment by providing standardized definitions.
- Assisting in the education and training of medical students and professionals.
- Enhancing patient education by providing understandable explanations of medical conditions and procedures.
Structure and Content[edit]
Medical dictionaries typically include:
- Definitions: Clear and concise explanations of medical terms.
- Pronunciations: Phonetic guides to help with the correct pronunciation of terms.
- Etymology: Information on the origin and history of terms, often derived from Latin or Greek.
- Synonyms and Antonyms: Alternative terms and their opposites.
- Illustrations and Diagrams: Visual aids to enhance understanding of complex concepts.
Types of Medical Dictionaries[edit]
There are several types of medical dictionaries, each serving different needs:
- General Medical Dictionaries: Comprehensive resources covering a wide range of medical terms and concepts.
- Specialized Medical Dictionaries: Focused on specific fields such as cardiology, neurology, or oncology.
- Online Medical Dictionaries: Digital versions that offer quick access to information and are often updated more frequently than print versions.
Usage in Medical Education[edit]
Medical dictionaries are invaluable in medical education, providing students with a reliable source of information. They are used in:
- Coursework and Assignments: Assisting students in understanding and using medical terminology correctly.
- Research: Offering definitions and explanations that support academic research and writing.
- Clinical Practice: Helping students and professionals communicate effectively with colleagues and patients.
Related Pages[edit]
