the shortest distance from XXX and ZZZ to YYY and ZZZ

English translation: the shortest distance from A to B or B to A

09:14 May 1, 2013

English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Medical - Medical (general)

English term or phrase: the shortest distance from XXX and ZZZ to YYY and ZZZ

Does the above structure has any sense in English?

I understand we can have

(i) distance from A and B

or

(ii) distance from A to B

but what is implied by the structure "distance from A and C to B and C"???

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In one embodiment, the accuracy shall be understood as *** the shortest distance from any point along one of the cut and the stoma-contour in the template sheet to the other of the cut and the stoma-contour in the template sheet*** . In another embodiment, the accuracy shall be understood as the distance from any point along one of the cut and the stoma-contour in the template sheet along a normal to a tangent of point and to the other of the cut and the stoma-contour in the template sheet. In one embodiment, the accuracy is determined as the area of the space defined between the cut and the stoma-contour in the template sheet.
====

Alexander Onishko

Selected answer:the shortest distance from A to B or B to A

Explanation:
I think you're misunderstanding the source text, which seems to be what is causing your confusion.

"In one embodiment, the accuracy shall be understood as the shortest distance from any point along one of the cut and the stoma-contour in the template sheet to the other of the cut and the stoma-contour in the template sheet."

Try this as:

the shortest distance from any point along either the cut or the stoma-contour in the template sheet to either the stoma-contour or the cut in the template sheet

So it's the shortest distance between any point on one or other of these to 'lines' to the other one.

It is probably expressed this way because it is the distance between a point (on a line) and another line — but either way round.

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Note added at 11 mins (2013-05-01 09:26:24 GMT)
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Sorry:

on one or other of these TWO 'lines' to the other one

Selected response from:

Tony M
France
Local time: 15:04

Grading comment

4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED

the shortest distance from A to B or B to A

Tony M

Discussion entries: 1

Answers

5 mins confidence:

the shortest distance from xxx and zzz to yyy and zzz

the shortest distance from A to B or B to A

Tony M
France
Local time: 15:04
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 56

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