Capitalizing eponyms

Eponyms are common in medical records. There are many diseases, signs, syndromes, tests, procedures, instruments, devices and tools that are named after the person or group that invented or discovered them. Many are named after a patient.

Because an eponym is named for a person, it is a proper noun and is capitalized.

Image
Homans sign
Lou Gehrig disease
Homans sign

Do not capitalize the adjectival or verbal forms derived from eponyms.

Image
His parkinsonian signs were obvious.
The patient's appearance was cushingoid.
The vessel was bovied.

 


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Page last modified on Wednesday 24 of August, 2011 19:14:50 UTC by admin.
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