National Library of Medicine: Semantic Web

Resource:  United States National Library of Medicine:  National Institutes of Health.
UMLS® Semantic Network: National Library of Medicine

Fact Sheet
UMLS® Semantic Network

Introduction
The Semantic Network consists of (1) a set of broad subject categories, or Semantic Types, that provide a consistent categorization of all concepts represented in the UMLS Metathesaurus®, and (2) a set of useful and important relationships, or Semantic Relations, that exist between Semantic Types. This section of the documentation provides an overview of the Semantic Network, and describes the files of the Semantic Network. Sample records illustrate structure and content of these files.

Structure and Content of the UMLS Semantic Network
The scope of the UMLS Semantic Network is broad, allowing for the semantic categorization of a wide range of terminology in multiple domains. Major groupings of semantic types include organisms, anatomical structures, biologic function, chemicals, events, physical objects, and concepts or ideas. The links between the semantic types provide the structure for the network and represent important relationships in the biomedical domain. The primary link between the semantic types is the ‘isa’ link. The ‘isa’ link establishes the hierarchy of types within the Network and is used for deciding on the most specific semantic type available for assignment to a Metathesaurus concept. There is also a set of non-hierarchical relationships, which are grouped into five major categories: `physically related to,’ `spatially related to,’ `temporally related to,’ `functionally related to,’ and `conceptually related to.’

The information associated with each semantic type includes a unique identifier, a tree number indicating its position in an `isa’ hierarchy, a definition, and its immediate parent and children. The information associated with each relationship includes a unique identifier, a tree number, a definition, and the set of semantic types that can plausibly be linked by this relationship.

Obtaining the UMLS Semantic Network
The UMLS Semantic Network is provided in two formats: a relational table format and a unit record format. It is available at http://semanticnetwork.nlm.nih.gov/. Distribution is subject to terms and conditions.

The Semantic Network and the other UMLS Knowledge Sources are accessible through the UMLS Knowledge Source Server (http://umlsks.nlm.nih.gov/). Further information about the UMLS project can be found at http://umlsinfo.nlm.nih.gov/.

For additional information, send an email to custserv@nlm.nih.gov or call1-888-FINDNLM.

A complete list of NLM Factsheets is available at:

(alphabetical list)
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/factsheets/factsheets.html

(subject list)
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/factsheets/factsubj.html

Or write to:

FACT SHEETS
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Library of Medicine
8600 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20894

Phone: (301) 496-6308
Fax: (301) 496-4450
email: publicinfo@nlm.nih.gov

The UMLS Semantic Network is one of three UMLS Knowledge Sources developed as part of the Unified Medical Language System project. The network provides a consistent categorization of all concepts represented in the UMLS Metathesaurus.

The UMLS Semantic Network is available in unit record and relational format and is distributed subject to these terms and conditions.

The Semantic Network Files Download the UMLS Semantic Network files

The UMLS semantic network reduces the complexity of the Metathesaurus by grouping concepts according to the semantic types that have been assigned to them. For certain purposes, however, an even smaller and coarser-grained set of semantic type groupings may be desirable. The UMLS semantic groups have been established for this purpose.

Further information about the UMLS Semantic Network can be found at:

Semantic Network Fact Sheet UMLS Semantic Network Fact Sheet
Semantic Network Documentation UMLS Semantic Network Documentation

McCray AT. An upper level ontology for the biomedical domain. Comp Funct Genom 2003; 4:80-4.

UMLS Knowledge Source Server UMLSKS


New Users’ Guide to the UMLS

Where can I find…
Online Demonstrations for the UMLSKS version 5.0
Step-by-Step instructions
UMLS Training Materials

UMLS User Outreach

 
FAQWebcasts
Sign-up or view previous webcasts to gain in-depth knowledge about the UMLS Knowledge sources.
TrainingTraining
ContactUsNew Users’ Guide to the UMLS
Information for getting started with the UMLS for our new users.
ListservListserv
The UMLS provides two Listservs

 

  • UMLSUSERS-L, a community of researchers and UMLS developers who discuss their work and UMLS issues
  • UMLS-ANNOUNCES-L, a list that delivers only official NLM announcements
ListservUMLS Community
User-created tools for the UMLS.

Developer’s Guide to the UMLS Knowledge Source Server


Reference:


United States National Library of Medicine: National Institutes of Health. (2008). About the UMLS Resources. Retrieved April 21, 2008, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/about_umls.html#Semantic

United States National Library of Medicine: National Institutes of Health. (2006). The UMLS Semantic Network. Retrieved April 21, 2008, from http://semanticnetwork.nlm.nih.gov/

United States National Library of Medicine: National Institutes of Health. (2008). MyUMLSKS:UMLS Knowledge Source Server. Retrieved April 21, 2008, from http://kswebp1.nlm.nih.gov/uPortal/frame.jsp?myvt-frame=http://www.nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/documentation.html

United States National Library of Medicine: National Institutes of Health. (2008). UNLS User Outreach. Retrieved April 21, 2008, from http://kswebp1.nlm.nih.gov/uPortal/frame.jsp?myvt-frame=http://www.nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/documentation.html

United States National Library of Medicine: National Institutes of Health. (2008). UMLS Knowledge Source Server:UMLSKS - table of contents. Retrieved April 21, 2008, from http://kswebp1.nlm.nih.gov/DocPortlet/html/dGuide/toc.html

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