<n0:ComplexDefinition xmlns:n0="http://ncicb.nci.nih.gov/xml/owl/EVS/ComplexProperties.xsd#"><n0:def-definition>The semantic type describes the sort of thing or category to which a concept belongs in the context of the UMLS semantic network.</n0:def-definition><n0:def-source>NCI</n0:def-source></n0:ComplexDefinition>
nci:P98
In general, applying semantic types aids in allowing users (or computer programs) to draw conclusions about concepts by virtue of the categories to which they have been assigned. We use a set of semantic types developed for the UMLS Metathesaurus. There are currently 134 semantic types in the UMLS.