# is a

## is a

**This the name of the concept used to represent a subtype relationship.**

## subtype relationship

A relationship that asserts that a concept is a subtype of another concept.

#### Notes

* *Subtype relationships* \_\_ are represented by relationship type [116680003 | is a|](http://snomed.info/id/116680003) .
* A *subtype relationship* asserts that a concept conforms to all the defining characteristics the supertype concept but also has at least one feature or refinement that distinguishes it from that *concept*.
  * Note that the distinguishing features may or may not be represented in the concept definition of the *subtype concept*.
* Concepts are defined by a combination of *subtype relationships* and attribute relationships.

#### Example

* The table below shows an example of a *subtype relationship* as it appears in the three significant columns of the relationship file.

| sourceId   | typeId                    | destinationId                               |
| ---------- | ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| \[ 6025007 | Laparoscopic appendectomy | ]\(<http://snomed.info/id/6025007> "6025007 |

## Alternatives

* **Is a**
* Subtype

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