Medical Terminolgy 3/13/25

Course Structure for Medical Terminology

• Overview of Assessments

  • 12 lesson exercises (homework assignments from the book)

  • 11 quizzes

  • 1 discussion board activity (due today)

  • 1 midterm exam

  • 1 final exam

Importance of Studying Medical Terminology

• Personal Experience: Instructor shares their experience of not taking the course seriously and the consequences.

• Recommendation: Continuous studying throughout the course rather than cramming before exams.

Interactive Learning Tools

• Kahoots: An online interactive quiz game will be used as a study tool to reinforce learning and keep students engaged.

Course Logistics

• Blackboard Navigation: Students are to check announcements, course content, and keep up with assignments via the Blackboard site.

• Discussion Board Instructions:

  • Initial post due by tonight at midnight.

  • Students need to respond to at least two classmates' posts.

Medical Terminology Introduction

• Definition and Importance:

  • Medical terminology acts as a specialized vocabulary among healthcare professionals.

  • Using specific terms minimizes miscommunication.

• Origins of Medical Terms:

  • Primarily derived from Greek and Latin.

  • Includes eponyms (e.g., Parkinson's disease) and acronyms (e.g., CABG).

Categories of Medical Terms

• Built from Word Parts: Understandable through their components.

• Not Built from Word Parts: Require memorization.

Word Parts and Their Meanings

• Four Main Components:

  1. Word Root: Core meaning of the term (e.g., 'onc' for cancer).

  2. Combining Vowel: Typically 'o'; aids pronunciation and can connect word roots.

  3. Suffix: Added at the end, modifies the meaning (e.g., 'ologist' for one who studies).

  4. Prefix: Added at the beginning, provides additional info (e.g., 'hypo-' for low).

Examples of Word Construction

• Intravenous:

  • Intra (within) + Ven (vein) + -ous (pertaining to) = Pertaining to within a vein.

• Neuroma:

  • Neuro (nerve) + -oma (tumor) = Tumor of nerve tissue.

• Carcinoid:

  • Carcin (cancer) + -oid (resembling) = Resembling cancer.

Body Structure and Organization

• Cells: Basic unit of all living things.

• Tissues: Group of similar cells performing specific functions (e.g., cardiac tissue).

• Organs: Combination of two or more tissue types achieving complex functions (e.g., heart).

• Organ Systems: Groups of organs working together for overall body functions (e.g., endocrine system).

Cancer Terminology

• Oncology: Study of tumors, emphasizing the growth of cells that can lead to cancer.

• Tumor Classifications:

  • Malignant: Cancerous, can spread.

  • Benign: Non-cancerous, but may require removal if affecting organ function.

Clinical Practices

• Lab Tests: Essential tools for gathering patient information (e.g., CBC tests, kidney and liver function tests).

Pronunciation Skills

• Importance of accurate pronunciation of medical terms in clinical settings.

• Resources for practicing pronunciation, including online videos.

Common Medical Terms

• Benign: Non-cancerous.

• Malignant: Cancerous.

• Gloss for basic medical language provided by the textbook recommended for continuous study.

Homework Assignments

• Due tonight:

  • Initial discussion board post for medical terminology.

  • Lesson one exercises (A and B) due next week before class.

• Future Classes: Next session will be asynchronous; details will be provided.