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. 2001 Oct:2001:222-233.
doi: 10.1145/505168.505190.

Aspects of the Taxonomic Relation in the Biomedical Domain

Anita Burgun, Olivier Bodenreider

Aspects of the Taxonomic Relation in the Biomedical Domain

Anita Burgun et al. Form Ontol Inf Syst. 2001 Oct.

Abstract

Taxonomies are commonly used for organizing knowledge, particularly in biomedicine where the taxonomy of living organisms and the classification of diseases are central to the domain. The principles used to produce taxonomies are either intrinsic (properties of the partial ordering relation) or added to make knowledge more manageable (opposition of siblings and economy). The applicability of these principles in the biomedical domain is presented using the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) and issues raised by the application of these principles are illustrated. While intrinsic principles are not challenged, we argue that the opposition of siblings brings to bear excessive constraints on a domain ontology and that the adverse effects of economy may outweigh its benefits. The two-level structure used in the UMLS is discussed.

Keywords: Biomedical domain; Ontology; Taxonomic relation; Theory; Unified Medical Language System.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Hypernyms of “fever” in WordNet
Figure 2
Figure 2
A two-level structure
Figure 3
Figure 3
Categories and classes in the UMLS
Figure 4
Figure 4
Implicit reflexive hierarchical relationship in the UMLS Semantic Network
Figure 5
Figure 5
Transitivity of the isa relation between semantic types and Metathesaurus concepts
Figure 6
Figure 6
Generic concept vs. typical form
Figure 7
Figure 7
False predicate produced by using the is-generally-a relation
Figure 8
Figure 8
Inaccurate categorization due to missing subcategories
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Bodenreider O. Medical Ontology Research (Report to the Board of Scientific Counselors) Bethesda, Maryland: Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications; 2001.
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    1. Brachman RJ. What Is-a Is and Isn't - an Analysis of Taxonomic Links in Semantic Networks. Computer. 16(10):30–36.
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