A Pathologist Visit to the Zoo: A Review on Animal Eponyms in Pathology

The world of pathology encompasses a broad spectrum of diseases beyond the boundaries of specialties, with each disease having specific and interesting gross and microscopic features. Some of these features are pattern-based, while others are eponyms that compare them to objects, food, animals, etc., due to their striking resemblance and quick recall. Medical nomenclature is of vital importance, and it has significantly evolved historically, with etymological roots from Latin, Greek, and Roman languages of ancient times to the current internationally uniform codes of English and other modern languages. Eponyms are valuable medical literary epithets that have been used across specialties and include animal names, food names, discoverer names, geographic references, and more. The subject of pathology, in particular, has immense use of eponyms as they are valuable tools for assisting in adult learning, or andragogy. The specialty of pathology is unique in its complex patterns and diagnostic algorithm, always in need of alternate systems to arrive at quick and accurate diagnosis. Also known as intuitive thinking or reflex thinking, pattern viewing and eponyms trigger a reflex recognition system, reducing recall time and aiding in precise diagnosis. The present article aimed to review the terminological phenomenon of animal eponym usage in the context of pathological diagnosis.