FHIR Release 3 (STU) CI-Build

This page is part of the FHIR Specification (v3.0.2: STU 3). The current version which supercedes this version is 5.0.0 . For a full list Continuous Integration Build of available versions, see FHIR (will be incorrect/inconsistent at times).
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Using Codes Code Systems Value Sets Concept Maps Identifier Systems

4.2.12.768 4.3.2.274 Code System CodeSystem http://hl7.org/fhir/codesystem-hierarchy-meaning

  Maturity Level : 5
Responsible Owner: Vocabulary Terminology Infrastructure icon Work Group Informative Normative Use Context : Any Country: World
This is a code system defined by the FHIR project. Summary
  • Defining URL: Narrative http://hl7.org/fhir/codesystem-hierarchy-meaning
  • XML Name:
  • CodeSystemHierarchyMeaning JSON
  • Definition: TTL The meaning of the hierarchy of concepts in a code system
OID:
Official URL : Committee: http://hl7.org/fhir/codesystem-hierarchy-meaning Work Group Version : 6.0.0-ballot3
active as of 2021-01-04 2.16.840.1.113883.4.642.1.768 (for OID based terminology systems) Computable Name : CodeSystemHierarchyMeaning Source Resource
XML / JSON Flags : CaseSensitive, Complete. All codes ValueSet: Code System Hierarchy Meaning OID : 2.16.840.1.113883.4.642.4.785

This Code system is used in the following FHIR core-defined or referenced value sets:

4.2.12.768.1 4.3.2.274.1 Content Definition 4.2.12.768.2 CodeSystemHierarchyMeaning

The meaning of the hierarchy of concepts in a code system system.

4.3.2.274.2 Content

Generated Narrative: CodeSystem codesystem-hierarchy-meaning

Last updated: 2025-12-17T09:50:17.012Z

This case-sensitive code system http://hl7.org/fhir/codesystem-hierarchy-meaning defines the following codes:

Code Display Definition Copy
grouped-by Grouped By No particular relationship between the concepts can be assumed, except what can be determined by inspection of the definitions of the elements (possible reasons to use this: importing from a source where this is not defined, or where various parts of the hierarchy have different meanings) meanings). btn   btn
is-a Is-A A hierarchy where the child concepts have an IS-A relationship with the parents - that is, all the properties of the parent are also true for its child concepts concepts. Not that is-a is a property of the concepts, so additional subsumption relationships may be defined using properties. btn   btn
part-of Part Of Child elements list the individual parts of a composite whole (e.g. body site) site). btn   btn
classified-with Classified With Child concepts in the hierarchy may have only one parent, and there is a presumption that the code system is a "closed world" "closed world" meaning all things must be in the hierarchy. This results in concepts such as "not "not otherwise classified." classified.". btn   btn

 

See the full registry of value sets code systems defined as part of FHIR.

Explanation of the columns that may appear on this page:

Level A few code lists that FHIR defines are hierarchical - each code is assigned a level. In this scheme, some codes are under other codes, and imply that the code they are under also applies See Code System for further information.
Source The source of the definition of the code (when the value set draws in codes defined elsewhere)
Code The code (used as the code in the resource instance). If the code is in italics, this indicates that the code is not selectable ('Abstract')
Display The display (used in the display element of a Coding ). If there is no display, implementers should not simply display the code, but map the concept into their application
Definition An explanation of the meaning of the concept
Comments Additional notes about how to use the code