POLYSEMY IN MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY: LINGUISTIC FEATURES AND SEMANTIC ANALYSIS

This article examines the phenomenon of polysemy in medical terminology from a linguistic perspective. Polysemy, which refers to the existence of several related meanings within a single lexical unit, plays an important role in the development and functioning of medical language. The article explores the semantic characteristics of polysemous medical terms, identifies the main mechanisms of meaning extension, and analyzes examples from different branches of medicine. Particular attention is given to the influence of context on the interpretation of medical vocabulary and the challenges that polysemy presents in professional communication, medical translation, and language education. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding semantic relationships between different meanings of medical terms to ensure accurate interpretation and effective communication in healthcare.