TOWARDS a NEW EDITION of MORPHOLOGICAL NOMENCLATURE David Kachlik

Morphological Nomenclature Rev Arg de Anat Clin; 2016, 8 (2): 68-69 ______

Editorial

TOWARDS A NEW EDITION OF MORPHOLOGICAL NOMENCLATURE David Kachlik

Department of Anatomy, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic, European Union

common English equivalent. They have been issued as books but since 2010 they are also available online - see http://www.unifr.ch/ifaa. BNA was a result of tremendous work of a commission of the German Anatomical Society (Anatomische Gesellschaft). The International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA) was founded in 1903, and started to work on a revision of the BNA from 1905. But the work slowed down and the Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland published its own nomenclature called Birmingham Revision (BR) in 1933. The German Anatomical Society produced its own revision, called Ienaiensia Nomina Anatomica (INA) in 1935, which tended Human morphological terminology is daily used to the veterinary anatomy, preferring the by many groups of people: scientists, physicians, horizontal-position-of-the-trunk description. IFAA dentists, nurses, paramedical specialists, established the International Anatomical teachers and students of medicine but also by Nomenclature Committee (IANC) in 1936 to teachers and students of basic and secondary revise the BR and INA, but due to the World War schools, translators, and in justice. It facilitates II it started its work in 1952. The first worldwide communication between such people from accepted anatomical nomenclature was publ- different countries of the world. It is both ished as Parisiensia Nomina Anatomica (PNA) in descriptive and functional and covers gross 1955. It was later re-named 1st edition of Nomina anatomy, histology, cytology and embryology. It Anatomica (NA) and followed successively by 4 is arranged according to the body structure and reviewed versions (NA1 to NA5). In 1977, the 4th its systematisation or according to the time line in edition of NA was combined with the first Latin embryology. histological and embryological nomenclatures Its history goes back to the ancient times, but the (called Nomina Anatomica, Nomina Histologica, first anatomical nomenclature was created in Nomina Embryologica). As the situation between 1895 as the Basiliensia Nomina Anatomica the elected IFAA and the co-opted IANC became (BNA). Nowadays, the recent valid editions of the untenable, the IFAA appointed a new morphological nomenclatures are three: commission. The Federative Committee on Terminologia Anatomica (TA) from 1998, Anatomical Terminology (FCAT), which worked Terminologia Histologica (TH) from 2009 and from 1989 to 1997 presented an extended and Terminologia Embryologica (TE) from 2013. They revised version of the last edition of NA, issued in are available in Latin (codified terms), completed 1998 as TA (Terminologia Anatomica). TH was with a unique Identification number and the most also revised and published by this group,

68 Todos los derechos reservados. Reg. Nº: 5291682 www.anatclinar.com.ar Morphological Nomenclature Rev Arg de Anat Clin; 2016, 8 (2): 68-69 ______although under a slightly different name the Anatomica (TA), Terminologia Histologica (TH), Federative International Committee on Anatom- Terminologia Embryologica (TE), Terminologia ical Terminology (FICAT). TE was approved by Anthropologica (TAnth), Terminologia Odontol- IFAA (in 2009 but could only be published as a ogica (TO), and Terminologia Neuroanatomica book in 2013.) At the same time, the General (TNA). The proposal of working groups for TA, Assembly of IFAA accepted to re-structure TE and TNA has been sent to the member IFAA's organisation in several Federative societies of IFAA for review process at the end of International Programmes (FIPs) in order to 2015. After editing and processing the proposal increase its efficiency. and changes, the final drafts will be presented to The new Federative International Programme for the IFAA Board in Göttingen in September 2016 Anatomical Terminology (FIPAT) is a group of and after approval, there viewed sections will experts who review, analyse and discuss the become available online, a new website being names of the morphological structures of the developed at for that human body. They are committed to speeding up purpose. both update and dissemination of the newly The considerable work of the FIPAT Working accepted terms by using electronic means of groups and other people involved should result in communication. It is composed of 6 Working a revised, ameliorated, extended Latin nomencl- groups (Gross Anatomy, Histology, Embryology, ature, completed with Latin synonyms, English Neuroanatomy, Odontology/Anthropology and equivalents and eponyms, which should serve for Orobiology) and two Subcommittees (Latin and specialists, physicians but also for publishers and Informatics), each chaired by a coordinator and editors as a gold standard of morphology comprising several advisors and experts. The terminology in Latin and English. Latin is central, chairman of the FIPAT is John Fraher from which means that the Latin term is the formal, Ireland, and the coordinators and advisors are official version. It enables translation into any from fifteen different countries. Worldwide vernacular and provides an exact point of participation is of major importance for FIPAT. intersection for communication across disciplines, Two main meetings of FIPAT were held: in languages, countries, regions and associations. August 2014 in Bejing and in September 2015 in Moreover, it is expected that the anatomical Istanbul; the third is scheduled for September databases of the terminologies will become 2016 in Göttingen. directly accessible and machine-readable on the The FIPAT mission is “to continually adapt its Internet and so provide a common source of anatomical terminologies to developments in the information to all persons or groups concerned by morphological sciences and to the needs of the intrinsic components of the human body. medicine, the biomedical sciences and other Although another step will be achieved, there still health professions, and to promote the correct remain plenty of structures either not yet use of terminology among these groups, as well incorporated or not denominated (or not even as members of the general public, including recognized). Every morphologist is welcome to writers and journalists”. Although the nomencl- contribute or comment, either via website ature is destined primarily for human morphology, Discussion Forums (see http://www.ifaa.net/ it also extends to clinical fields and other health index.php/fipat/change-fipat/fipat-discussion- sciences. That is why incorporation of relevant forum and/or the Canadian website named clinically-related terms, after a thorough and above) or personally to any member of FIPAT. By constructive discussion concluded by a means of cooperation and communication, this consensus, is a fundamental task. terminology tool can excellently serve a wide The current effort is aimed at revising the TA, TH range of people and will be further extended and and TE and extending the portfolio of refined. nomenclatures to until-now insufficiently covered Finally, the author would like to acknowledge the areas, i.e. anthropology and odontology. The final support and help of John Fraher and Pierre complex should comprise: Terminologia Sprumont.