Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026

3D Printing Model of a Patient's Specific Lumbar Vertebra
Published on: April 14, 2023
Nonoriginal Malappropriate Eponymous Nomenclature: examples relevant to paediatric orthopaedics
Nick Aresti1, Manoj Ramachandran
1Barts and The London NHS Trust, The Royal London Hospital, London, UK.
Abstract:
Eponyms are widely used in medicine and their use has been the subject of much debate recently. Advocates stress their historical significance, their ability to simplify complex terminology and their addition of character to science. Opponents cite the controversy among those eponyms and highlight the lack of both scientific and historical accuracy. The law of Nonoriginal Malappropriate Eponymous Nomenclature (NOMEN) suggests that no phenomenon is named after the individual(s) who originally described it. We aimed to determine whether this law is applicable to various clinical conditions and signs relevant to paediatric orthopaedics. We selected a series of 10 eponyms and performed a thorough literature review. In all cases, a description was identified preceding that from whom the disease received its eponymous name. We were also able to identify what we believe to be the earliest recorded description of each disease and sign. Our examples confirm the law of NOMEN in the field of paediatric orthopaedics. We suggest that irregularities in the descriptions and meanings of eponyms are identified and updated.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Nomenclature
Anatomical Terminology
Regional Terms
Primarily, the human body has two major regions, the axial and appendicular regions. The axial region comprises regions from the head to the abdomen and makes up the central body axis. In contrast,...
Nomenclature of Aromatic Compounds with Multiple Substituents
For disubstituted benzene derivatives, with two groups attached to the benzene ring, three constitutional isomers are possible. For example, consider dimethyl benzene, often called xylene, where the second methyl group can be substituted at the second, third, or fourth carbon. The relative position of the substituents is represented by prefixes ortho, meta, or...
Directional Terms
Nomenclature of Aryl and Heterocyclic Amines

