Course Syllabus: Medical Terminology
Author(s): Kay Murray
Date Created/Revised: 08-03-10
Course Description: This course will introduce students to the structure of medical terms, including prefixes, suffixes, word roots, combining forms, and
singular and plural forms, plus medical abbreviations and acronyms. The course allows students to achieve comprehension of medical vocabulary
appropriate to medical procedures, human anatomy and physiology, and pathophysiology. To pursue a career in health care, students should know how
to learn, reason, think critically, make decisions, solve problems, and ability to work well with others. Students should understand the employment
opportunities, technology and safety requirements of each system. Students are expected to learn the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a health
career through further education and /or employment. Students are expected to understand their ethical and legal responsibilities, limitations, and the
implications of their actions.
PERIOD OBJECTIVES
Chapters 1-4
This six weeks we will be covering the four parts of medical terms, suffixes, prefixes and combining forms. Also we will learn the
importance of correct spelling, rules for determining singular and plural endings, discuss the importance of using caution with
abbreviations, discussing the different types of healthcare settings and the importance of confidentiality. Evaluate the use of verbal
and written language in a variety of healthcare settings. We will be going over anatomical planes and anatomical structures. We will
discuss the common features of cells. Discuss the four types of tissues and list the body cavities and their contents. We will start
going over one body system at a time and learn the medical terms as they relate to the body system. This first six weeks, we will go
over the integumentary system and the musculoskeletal system. We will be discussing the purpose of each system, diagnostic
procedures, therapeutic procedures, medications relating to the system, and abbreviations associated with the system. We will
SEMESTER medical terms related to each system and correct spelling and pronunciation of each term. We will go over prefixes, suffixes, and
COURSE combining forms in each chapter. We will research the origins of eponyms.
st
1 Six Weeks TEKS covered are: #1(a, b, c, d, e, f,), #2(a, b, c)
1. The student will know terminology related to healthcare.
(A) Identify abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols;
(B) Identify the basic structure of medical words;
(C) Practice word-building skills;
(D) Research the origins of eponyms;
(E) Use directional terms and anatomical planes related to body structure;
(F) Accurately spell and define occupationally specific terms relating to procedures, diseases, and treatments.
2. The student will know how to communicate using the terminology applicable to healthcare.
(A) Use appropriate verbal and written strategies to meet the demands of the speaker, audience, purpose, and occasions;
(B) Correctly pronounce medical terms;
(C) Employ increasingly precise language to communicate;
(D) Evaluate the use of verbal and written language in a variety of health care scenarios;
(E) Read and interpret technical material related to health care.
3. The student uses available resources.
(A) Use medical and dental dictionaries and multimedia resources’
(B) Use resources to interpret technical materials;
(C) Utilize electronic media such as the Internet and other telecommunications, with appropriate supervision.
Chapters 5-9
During the second six weeks we be covering the Cardiovascular System, Blood and the Lymphatic and Immune System,
Respiratory System, Digestive System, and Urinary System. We will look at the anatomy of each system, how to correctly spell the
medical terms of each system, and the correct abbreviations. At the end of each chapter we will review a medical record and the
student will need to interpret and translate the medical record, using progress notes, radiology reports etc. They will learn to use
medical dictionaries, and multimedia resources. We will be using the Internet for research and resource. We will learn vocabulary
associated with each system. We will discuss therapeutic procedures, diagnostic procedures, and medications as it pertains to the
nd
2 Six Weeks body system. The student will learn how to translate medical terms to conversational language to facilitate communication. They will
begin to summarize observations using medical terminology correctly. Interpret contents of medical scenarios.
TEKS covered: #2(a, b, c)#3(a, b, c,) #4(a, b) #5(a, b, c, d, e)
2. The student will know how to communicate using the terminology applicable to healthcare.
(A) Use appropriate verbal and written strategies to meet the demands of the speaker, audience, purpose, and occasions;
(B) Correctly pronounce medical terms;
(C) Employ increasingly precise language to communicate;
(D) Evaluate the use of verbal and written language in a variety of health care scenarios;
(E) Read and interpret technical material related to health care.
3. The student uses available resources.
(A) Use medical and dental dictionaries and multimedia resources’
(B) Use resources to interpret technical materials;
(C) Utilize electronic media such as the Internet and other telecommunications, with appropriate supervision.
4. The student appropriately uses health care terms.
(A) Accurately interpret, transcribe, and communicate vocabulary related to health care;
(B) Translate medical terms to conversational language to facilitate communications;
(C) Report observations using medical terminology.
Chapter 10-14
This six weeks we will be covering the Reproductive system (male and female), the Endocrine system, the Nervous system, special
senses (eye and ear), and the special topics. The students will learn abbreviations, prefixes, suffixes, and combining form as it
correlates to each system. We will learn vocabulary related to each system. They will review therapeutic procedures, diagnostic
procedures and medications with each system. They will learn to correctly pronounce and translate medical terms associated with
each system. They will describe pertinent information relating to surgery, mental health, rehabilitation services, oncology, and
pharmacology. At the end of each chapter they will transcribe and translate medical records as it correlates to each system. The
student will learn how to translate medical terms to conversational language to facilitate communication. They will begin to
rd summarize observations using medical terminology correctly. Interpret contents of medical scenarios.
3 Six Weeks
TEKS covered: #2(a, b, c) #3 (a, b, c,) #4(a, b) #5(a, b, c, d, e)
2. The student will know how to communicate using the terminology applicable to healthcare.
(A) Use appropriate verbal and written strategies to meet the demands of the speaker, audience, purpose, and occasions;
(B) Correctly pronounce medical terms;
(C) Employ increasingly precise language to communicate;
(D) Evaluate the use of verbal and written language in a variety of health care scenarios;
(E) Read and interpret technical material related to health care.
3. The student uses available resources.
(A) Use medical and dental dictionaries and multimedia resources’
(B) Use resources to interpret technical materials;
(C) Utilize electronic media such as the Internet and other telecommunications, with appropriate supervision.
4. The student appropriately uses health care terms.
(A) Accurately interpret, transcribe, and communicate vocabulary related to health care;
(B) Translate medical terms to conversational language to facilitate communications;
(C) Report observations using medical terminology.