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  3. Biology (-tech,-chem,micro-)

aparato vs sistema

English translation: system

07:48 Apr 3, 2015
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Science - Biology (-tech,-chem,micro-) / Human body - organ systems
Spanish term or phrase: aparato vs sistema
Aparato: «Disposición de un número de partes que actúan conjuntamente en la realización de una función especial; se utiliza en la nomenclatura anatómica para designar un número de estructuras u órganos que actúan juntas en el servicio de una función específica».


Sistema: «Grupo o serie de partes o entidades interconectadas o interdependientes (objetos, órganos u organismos) que funcionan juntos con una finalidad común o producen resultados imposibles de alcanzar por sólo uno de ellos actuando u operando por separado».
Diccionario enciclopédico ilustrado de medicina Dorland. Tomo 6. 27.ª edición. 1996.

I am translating a text that deals with organ systems. The author differentiates between 'aparatos' and 'sistemas' when talking about organ systems (for example, 'aparato digestivo' and 'sistema nervioso'). As far as I know, no distinction is made in English - they are all lumped together as 'systems' or 'organ systems'. However, I may well be wrong. Could anyone confirm whether there are indeed different terms in English for these two concepts?

Many thanks in advance!




Sheila
Sheila Hardie
Spain
Local time: 14:33
English translation:system
Explanation:
I think you're right, there is generally no distinction. The examples you cite where "aparato" is used can all translate as some sort of system: musculoskeletal system, circulatory system, reproductive system... I'd say that the term 'tract' refers mainly to a "void passage" so to speak
Selected response from:

Isabelle Villancher
Spain
Local time: 14:33
Grading comment
Thank you all for your answers - in the end, we are going to have to change the (original) text because there really do not appear to be exact equivalents. In English we do not differentiate these two concepts in the same way. Thanks again!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +1system
Isabelle Villancher
4apparatus vs system
neilmac
3tract vs system
Lisa McCarthy


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


29 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
tract vs system


Explanation:


Tract a. A system of organs and tissues that together perform a specialized function: the alimentary tract.


System b. A group of physiologically or anatomically related organs or parts: the excretory system; a root system.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com

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Note added at 1 hora (2015-04-03 08:48:31 GMT)
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Yes, that's true Sheila. I did have to translate some of theses terms before and used 'system' where it was obvious that they weren't referring to an actual 'tract'.

Lisa McCarthy
Spain
Local time: 14:33
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
Notes to answerer
Asker: Many thanks, Lisa - I should have mentioned that I did consider using the terms 'tract' and 'system'. However, the author uses the terms 'aparto circulatorio' and 'aparato reproductor' etc. and in English we say 'circulatory system' and 'reproductive system' rather than 'tract', so it would not appear to match exactly.

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6 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +1
system


Explanation:
I think you're right, there is generally no distinction. The examples you cite where "aparato" is used can all translate as some sort of system: musculoskeletal system, circulatory system, reproductive system... I'd say that the term 'tract' refers mainly to a "void passage" so to speak

Example sentence(s):
  • -
Isabelle Villancher
Spain
Local time: 14:33
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thank you all for your answers - in the end, we are going to have to change the (original) text because there really do not appear to be exact equivalents. In English we do not differentiate these two concepts in the same way. Thanks again!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  philgoddard
1 hr
neutral  neilmac: Synonymy is called for to avoid a surfeit of "systems" IMHO.
2 hrs
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
apparatus vs system


Explanation:
Apparatus: 2.the complex structure of a particular organization or system.


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Note added at 1 hr (2015-04-03 08:55:41 GMT)
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E.g. "digestive apparatus" - 325,000 Google hits.

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Note added at 1 hr (2015-04-03 08:56:28 GMT)
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Used sparingly along with "tract" etc, should soon stop looking/feeling odd once you get used to it.

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Note added at 1 hr (2015-04-03 08:57:08 GMT)
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http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Digestive_apparatus

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Note added at 1 hr (2015-04-03 08:58:19 GMT)
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And: "circulatory apparatus - also denominated circulatory system "... etc.

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Note added at 9 hrs (2015-04-03 17:10:05 GMT)
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NB: Whether there is any real distinction between the terms is moot. However, good English style calls for use of synonyms to avoid ad nauseam repetition of lexical items.

neilmac
Spain
Local time: 14:33
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 39
Notes to answerer
Asker: Many thanks for your reply! As this is a scientific text, unfortunately I cannot use synonyms.

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