The GALEN CORE Model Schemata for Anatomy: Towards a Re-usable Application-Independent Model of Medical Concepts
A. L. Rector, Aldo Gangemi, E Galeazzi, A. J. Glowinski, Angelo Rossi-Mori · 2008
Despite underlying much of medicine, anatomical concepts are frequently not separated from other aspects of terminology, leading to duplication and repetition. This paper describes the development of a re-usable terminological model of anatomy using the GALEN Representation And Integration Language (GRAIL), which embodies multiple subsumption hierarchies and constrained compositional statements. The model comprises elementary entities sanctioning statements connecting these entities. Of particular importance within the model are partonomic relationships, the degree of specification or uniqueness of a structure, and the way in which abnormality is represented. Although significant problems remain, the model is proving useful in providing a basis for a wider terminological system. The paper discusses progress to date, and prospects for the future.