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4.5.2. Terminology structure

4.5.2.1. Terminology structure: coded meanings

The central component of SNOMED CT must be coded meanings. Each code must have a single clear and unambiguous meaning.

4.5.2.2. Terminology structure: identifiers

Components of SNOMED CT must have unique identifiers. The internal structure of these identifiers must not imply the meaning or relationships of a code.

4.5.2.3. Terminology structure: terms

SNOMED CT must represent the association between terms (text strings) and the meanings that they may describe. These associations may be language or dialect dependent.

4.5.2.4. Terminology structure: preferred terms

SNOMED CT must represent the special association between each code and a preferred term, which should be used to display the meaning unless an alternative preference is stored or chosen by the user. This preferred term association is language or dialect dependent.

4.5.2.5. Terminology structure: fully specified names

SNOMED CT should provide each code with a structured fully specified name that unambiguously describes its meaning. This fully specified name should be specified in a reference language (the language of first use). Translations of the fully specified name may also be required.

4.5.2.6. Terminology structure: hierarchies

SNOMED CT must represent hierarchical relationships between coded meanings. The form of representation must allow a coded meaning to have multiple hierarchical parents (supertypes) and must guarantee that any alternative hierarchical views of a coded meaning are consistent.

4.5.2.7. Terminology structure: relationships

SNOMED CT must represent various non-hierarchical relationships between coded meanings.
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July 2012 International Release

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