Analysis of definitions and word misusage in vascular pathology

Science being the search for truth or factual knowledge pertaining to natur e and human health, accurate and precise word usage is prerequisite to avoi d unintentional misrepresentation in scientific communication. The increasi ng frequency of word misusage necessitates review of a number of definition s and frequently misused words in vascular pathology. Correction of such er rors is essential to foster accurate, standardized definitions. Otherwise s cientific progress is delayed, the unwary are misled and fallacious data an d concepts are propagated. Adherence to correct word usage facilitates the development of logic and precision so essential in education and in scienti fic thinking and literature, whereas consistently misused words ultimately become meaningless and unusable. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.