Taxonomic vocabularies in medicine: the intention of usage determines different established structures

Abstract

This paper deals with the reasons for distinguishing taxonomic vocabularies for standardizing terminology according to their different dedicated purposes. Different kinds of vocabularies are defined and then characterized using criteria like purposes, semiotic bases, principles for establishing hierarchical relations, mechanisms for guaranteeing reproducibility, and underlying representation formats. Furthermore, the kinds of taxonomic vocabularies worked out so far are named by preferred terms and assigned to proper places within the whole context of medical routine and research. Finally, it is argued that there must be a careful distinction between a conceptual level on one hand and a purpose-dependent non-conceptual level on the other. Unfortunately, both levels are crucially intertwined in existing vocabularies. Efforts on conceptually linking the vocabularies can help to share and re-use information evolving from different sources due to their common conceptual core. However, one must be aware of the effects resulting from special structural features on a non-conceptual level.