The UMLS Metathesaurus: representing different views of biomedical concepts
Abstract
The UMLS Metathesaurus is a compilation of names, relationships, and associated information from a variety of biomedical naming systems representing different views of biomedical practice or research. The Metathesaurus is organized by meaning, and the fundamental unit in the Metathesaurus is the concept. Differing names for a biomedical meaning are linked in a single Metathesaurus concept. Extensive additional information describing semantic characteristics, occurrence in machine-readable information sources, and how concepts co-occur in these sources is also provided, enabling a greater comprehension of the concept in its various contexts. The Metathesaurus is not a standardized vocabulary; it is a tool for maximizing the usefulness of existing vocabularies. It serves as a knowledge source for developers of biomedical information applications and as a powerful resource for biomedical information specialists.
Bull Med Libr Assoc. 1993 Apr;81(2):217-22.
Schuyler PL, Hole WT, Tuttle MS, Sherertz DD.
Medical Subject Headings Section, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20894.
Questions:
- Did you notice the date on the citation?
- Map this article to the Topic Maps Data Model (3-5 pages, no citations)
- Where does the Topic Maps Data Model differ from this article? (3-5 pages, no citations)
- If concept = proxy, what concepts (subjects) don’t have proxies in the Metathesaurus?
- On what basis are “biomedical meanings” mapped to a single Metathesaurus “concept?” Describe in general but illustrate with at least five (5) examples