Using Articles in Medical Writing: The Spleen Is An Organ That Plays A

Using Articles in Medical Writing
Situation Sample sentence Commentary

organs The spleen is an organ that plays a The definite article is used before organs,
role in immunity. even during the initial mention. Since there is
only one spleen, it is definite.
The lungs transfer oxygen into the The definite article is used even when the
blood organ is in the plural. The organ is considered
singular in meaning.
The right lung is infected. In this case, “lung” is clearly definite; there is
only one right lung.
Arteries are vessels that carry blood Cells, vessels, pimples, boils do not
high in oxygen content away from the automatically take a definite article since there
heart to the farthest reaches of the are more than one of them in the body.
body. OR An artery is a vessel that
carries blood . . .
system of The lymphatic system plays an Systems of the body are definite (there is only
the body important role in immunity. one lymphatic system) and thus treated like
organs are.
noncount a) Blood is difficult to remove from Here “blood” is considered non-count, a
only clothing. substance like “sugar.”
b) The blood carries oxygen to all Here “blood” is considered an organ.
parts of the body.
c) The hospital finally received more SInce blood has been mentioned in the first
Type O blood. The blood was sentence, it is now (at second mention)
delivered yesterday. considered definite.
d) Aspirin is generally prescribed. Names of drugs are considered noncount,
But so no article is required when indefinite.
The cat ate the aspirin that I left on However, in the second instance, “aspirin” is
the counter. made definite by the following clause.
e) Cancer claims many lives. Diseases are, in most cases, noncount and
generally do not take an article.
count and a) Treatment is given in the Treatment is used as a noncount noun here
noncount hospital. and is indefinite.
meanings .
b) Breast cancer victims must have Here, “treatment” is also used in the abstract
radiation treatment. The treatment is at first mention and is indefinite. At second
given in the hospital. mention, the noncount noun becomes definite.
c) Breast cancer victims must have “Treatment” here is used in a count sense so
numerous radiation treatments. the plural form is used. No article when
indefinite.
d) Breast cancer victims require After the first mention of treatments, the noun
radiation treatments. The becomes definite.
treatments are given in the hospital.
e) Radiation is a common treatment Here, “treatment” is used in the count sense
for breast cancer, but the patient has (one of a few types of treatment) and is
other options as well. singular.
Alyx Meltzer, Fall 2009

count a) Injections for diabetes are Plural count nouns do not take articles when
nouns: usually given subcutaneously. The they are indefinite. However, at second
plural injections are painless. mention they become definite and do take the
definite article.
b) Anti-inflammatories are drugs Classes of drugs are considered count nouns
that reduce swelling. and are expressed in the plural with no article
BUT when speaking of them in general. In “c,” the
count from is used with an indefinite article to
c) The doctor prescribed an anti- mean one type of anti-inflammatory drug.
inflammatory.
d) An anti-inflammatory is a type of Plural count nouns are often expressed as
drug that reduces swelling. singular in a definition. “b” and “d” mean the
same.
count a) Fever is a (common) symptom Use the indefinite article for a count noun
nouns: associated with chicken pox. when the situation is not definite The meaning
singular b) Fever is one of the symptoms here is that there are other symptoms.
associated with chicken pox. Think of “one of the + plural noun” as an
expression. Means the same as “a’” above
Noun made The prevalence of gout is equal in Noncount noun made more specific with a
definite by men and women. prepositional phrase takes the definite article,
qualifying The ingestion of certain drugs may “the.”
phrase also cause this condition.
superlative The most obvious symptom is the When using a superlative “the biggest, “the
rash, which appears after 10 days. worst,” etc., the definite article is always used.
generic a) The patient is generally given The meaning in A versus B is pretty much the
reference acetaminophen to relieve pain. same; both mean “patients in general.”
b) Patients are generally given
acetaminophen to relieve pain.
COUNT AND NONCOUNT FORMS:

medication, as in Medication is an important aspect of treatment.
OR
medications, as in Medications include analgesics and antibiotics. (means types of medication)
treatment, as in Treatment cannot cure the disease but can help relieve symptoms.
OR
treatments, as in The patient underwent seven radiation treatments.
pain (usually); pains (sometimes), as in old age involves many aches and pains
fever, as in Fever is a common symptom.

BUT
The patient is running a fever.
NON-COUNT NOUNS (always)

states: inflammation, consciousness, stupor, anxiety, emotions (anger, etc.)
conditions (may exist alone as a disorder or as part of a disorder): hyperacidity, hypotension,
insomnia, indigestion,
Alyx Meltzer, Fall 2009

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Using Articles in Medical Writing

Situation Sample sentence Commentary

Alyx Meltzer, Fall 2009

COUNT AND NONCOUNT FORMS:

fever, as in Fever is a common symptom.

NON-COUNT NOUNS (always)

Alyx Meltzer, Fall 2009

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