Sanctioned specialisation

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a mechanism for extending the content of a controlled terminology system by combining existing components of the system using specific mechanisms also defined in the system.

An example: pneumonia can be described as a special type of inflammation:

Inflammation which
 has_location Lung 

and this can be further specialised into pneumococcal pneumonia (caused by pneumococcus)

Inflammation which
 has_location Lung
 is_caused_by Pneumococcus


Sanctioned specialisation is used in description logic systems such as SNOMED CT. The concept is defined in a broader context and more exapmles given in ISO 17115, an ISO standard.