The objective was to assess in a qualitative study how correctly anatomical terms are used in four selected Czech medical journals (Acta Chirurgiae Orthopaedicae and Traumatologicae Cechoslovaca, Ceská gynecology, Ceská radiology and Rozhledy v chirurgii, 1990-1996). A total of 1200 articles were evaluated where 145 anatomical terms were detected which differed from P.N.A. and from Nomina Anatomica valid at present. Of these 25 were terms from B.N.A. (4) and from I.N.A. (21). Approximately twice as frequent were anatomical and clinical eponyms (52). The highest ratio (71) was formed by incorrect terms (36 Latin and 35 Czech). The authors feel that in the improvement of the standard of exact anatomical terminology in clinical medicine as well as in the professional literature in future a part should be played by better teaching at medical faculties within the framework of the new curriculum and by higher demands on the standard of manuscripts accepted by editors of professional journals.

Anatomický ústav 3 LF UK Praha