Chema Nieto Castañón Nov 27, 2019:

Anyhow, my honest question is whether or not an English doctor (an endoscopist) would actually use "dental arch" in this very specific context. English literature on the web seems to answer this question in a negative way. Your doctor friend supports the idea that "incisors" rather than "dental arch" would be the natural option here -although he does not really confirm it.

I understand though that "from incisors" is actually an accurate translation of "desde arcada dental" in this very specific context. I just wonder if "dental arch" is or might be used by native-English endoscopists in such context.

Thanks a lot for your commitment once again, Joseph!

Chema Nieto Castañón Nov 27, 2019:

Thanks a lot, Joseph ;)
Although that does not really set the question clear.

Contrary to Saxon tradition, there seems to be a general tendency in Spain to choose an unspecific term that might sound "technical" rather than a more specific one that anyone would understand. Arcada dental, in this context, is one such example.

In order to measure how far into the esophagus can something be found, the scopist will place the tip of his scope where the lesion is -or whatever that he is looking at- and check the tube of the scope coming out of the patient's mouth, marking the point where the tube "hits" the incisors. He will write the measure of the tube, from tip to mark, as the distance at which the lesion is -or whatever; cardia, etc.

The usual -and unspecific- way to express this in Spanish is as "arcada dental" (as "incisivos" might sound too "understandable" to be included in a technical report). As you say, Joseph, I feel no English doctor would feel comfortable with such an unspecific remark, and so (I believe) they usually specify "from incisors" in this context.

Joseph Tein Nov 27, 2019:

The Doctor's opinion Hi All (and particularly Chema). I wrote to a doctor friend about this; he just responded today:

I don’t know for a fact which is preferred or, even, if there is a preference. However, if it was me dictating the report I would try to be as accurate and unambiguous as possible in defining the location of my reference point. A “dental arch” means all the teeth in either your upper or lower jaw. Clearly, the molars are closer to your gut than the incisors. By naming a specific tooth/teeth as the reference point one eliminates some error which, at its worst could be the difference between an incisor and a third molar ... maybe as much as 3-4 cm. This is probably of most importance In documenting lesion location, especially for subsequent follow-up exams looking for improvement or recurrence.

Chema Nieto Castañón Nov 21, 2019:

Just one question, Joseph (great commitment, by the way!); I am positive "dental arch" is commonly used in English. My concern is only if dental arch is really used in the context of endoscopic measures (esophageal, etc.). Again, I have only been able to find literature from non-English natives using "dental arch" in this particular context.

As for the points, do not worry, wendy; both Joseph and myself really enjoy being of help. And Joseph was the first one to put you in the right track!

The interesting question here is whether or not "dental arch" is used in this particular context. And as already said, it is probably not such a big deal anyway, as it is commonly used in translated-to-English works, so it should be understandable.

Joseph Tein Nov 21, 2019:

Translation Resources When I've gotten really desperate, I've written directly to authors of articles, or doctors who prepared a patient's discharge report, to ask about a term or acronym. Once I called a hospital and spoke to a doctor who had written an article that contained the term I couldn't figure out.

I've gone down to our local pharmacy once or twice to ask about pharmacology terminology.

Just drawing everybody's attention to some possibilities.

No problem asking the dentist; I was a captive audience anyway :)

wendy griswold (asker) Nov 21, 2019:

wow, Joseph. Asking your dentist was above and beyond the call of duty. I know people devote a lot of time and research to this stuff. Maybe someday I can return the favor.

Joseph Tein Nov 21, 2019:

Dental Arch I had an appointment with my dentist yesterday and asked about this ... he said yes, they use the term "dental arch."

That said, I think that you (Wendy) should choose whichever answer makes most sense to you. Points are secondary; I do this (I think most of us do this) to help colleagues produce the best possible translations.

wendy griswold (asker) Nov 21, 2019:

Yes, thanks, Chema. It seems like you're all correct and I wish I could award points to everyone.

Chema Nieto Castañón Nov 21, 2019:

Hi wendy,
If you happen to find original-English texts were "dental arch" is used in this context, I would not doubt using here a literal translation. As far as I have only been able to find "dental arch" (in this context) in non-original-English texts, I would not hesitate using "incisors" here as the meaning conveyed is the same -and the actual "point" used to measure from by any endoscopist is actually the incisors, no matter what their original language is.

wendy griswold (asker) Nov 21, 2019:

I am grateful for your advice, without which I would be totally lost. I have found texts that talk about distance from the dental arch and others that talk about distance from the incisors. The Spanish text says "dental arches." Would using "incisors" when the source says "DA" be appropriate????

Chema Nieto Castañón Nov 21, 2019:

Thanks liz.
And yes, yours is just another example of an original-English text were the incisors are the explicit marking of esophageal lenght (instead of "dental arch") ;

"The average distance of the cardia from the upper incisor teeth is approximately 40 cm (...)"

liz askew Nov 20, 2019:

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=hhrYCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA146&lp...