Affiliation:
1. Division of Dermatology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
2. Division of Dermatology, McGill University, 687 Pine Ave West, Rm A4.17, H3A1A1, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Abstract
Background: Dermatology lexicon is rich with descriptive terminology. However, for a variety of reasons, it also includes a number of misnomers. ObjectiveTo review the more commonly encountered and critically appraised misnomers in dermatology. Methods: A search of MEDLINE (1966 – 2004), eMedicine dermatology text and electronic versions of two standard dermatology texts, Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine and Dermatology, was performed using the permutations of the terms: dermatology, skin, cutaneous, and misnomer. Results: Greater than 40 misnomers were identified. Conclusions: Misnomers in dermatology stem largely from lack of appreciation of underlying etiology or histopathological features of certain skin conditions, imprecise historical observations and erroneous eponymous credit. Historical, clinical, or histopathological explanations are used to clarify the nature of the misnomers, and in some cases suggestions for improved terminology are provided.
Cited by
2 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献