title: How to write about pollen.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Clinicians and palynologists (pollen specialists) often have different ways of expressing the same thing when they write about pollen.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This brief paper considers the confusing use of the word pollens that is frequently encountered in medical literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three common uses for the word pollens are considered citing examples from clinical literature. The problems associated with each case are explored.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Words and phrases that can serve as suitable alternatives to the word pollens are presented. The advantages of these alternatives are discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The word pollens represents a vague usage that obscures the author's intended meaning. Consistent application of the suggested alternatives will enhance the transmission of key concepts in the medical literature.
authors.affiliation: Multidata, Inc., Minnetonka, Minnesota 55305-1533, USA.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Frenz
mesh_terms: D011058:Pollen; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014956:Writing