What do you call a term that is derived from a name?

The term that is derived from a name is called an eponym. Eponyms often originate from the names of individuals who made significant contributions to medicine or science, and they help to commemorate those individuals. For example, the term "Parkinson’s disease" is named after Dr. James Parkinson, who first described the condition. Eponyms can be important in medical terminology as they provide a historical context and help healthcare professionals communicate about specific conditions or procedures effectively.

In contrast, constructed terms are formed by combining various medical roots, prefixes, and suffixes, while non-constructed terms do not follow a specific construction and may not be derived from personal names. A prefix, on the other hand, is a component added to the beginning of a word to modify its meaning, but it does not pertain to naming individuals. Understanding the distinction between these terms is crucial for mastering medical terminology.