Linguistic malady in medical literature: sinister synonyms

Semantics (i.e. the science of “word versus meaning”) is overlooked during training as a medical student and/or as a medical teacher. In a seasoned teacher, repeated clarifications are ingrained enough to obviate any confusion. But as a student, if we recall our own situation in the past, or as a teacher, if we visualize current students’ viva outcomes or classroom experiences-the problem is immense.