[Terminologia anatomica: a new reference work for anatomy]

The Nomina anatomica (6th edition in 1989) was the standard anatomical nomenclature until recently. It has been succeeded by the Terminologia anatomica (TA) by resolution of the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists in 1999. By now the TA has been published as a book and on cd-rom. The objective of the TA is to further uniformize the anatomical terminology, also internationally, and especially to democratize it, i.e. to ensure that it accommodates the needs of clinicians and medical scientists. The number of anatomical terms listed has grown to more than 7500. The increase is caused mainly by the insertion of clinical anatomical and neuro-anatomical names. A number of incorrect or misleading terms have been replaced. Each Latin term has a unique code number and is supplied with an English equivalent (International anatomical terminology; IAT) the spelling of which in either UK English or American English is considered equally correct. Based on the TA every language can formulate its own anatomical nomenclature. The nomenclature is presented per system or organ tract. An alphabetic index follows TA as well as the English IAT list. The use of eponyms is discouraged, but a list of well-known ones is appended to facilitate accessibility of older literature. Relevant suggestions about amendments are eagerly awaited and a broad basis of endorsement among the medical scientific world is hoped for. This journal will adopt the TA/IAT from now on as the work of reference regarding anatomical terms.