Lecture 1
An Introduction to
Medical English
Warm-up
Can you list the medical
courses you know ?
Fundamental Medical Courses
 biology
 physiology
 biochemistry,
physical chemistry, organic
chemistry, abiochemistry/inorganic chemistry,
 Anatomy (systematic anatomy and regional
anatomy)
 microbiology
 Parasitology
Fundamental Medical Courses
 histoembryology
(histology and embryology)
 pharmacology
 genetics
 immunology
 pathology
(pathophysiology, pathoanatomy )
 medical psychology
 medical ethics
 ……
Clinical Medical Courses








diagnostics
general surgery
internal medicine
obstetrics and gynecology
pediatrics
medical imageology
nursing science
……
Features of Medical English
Literatures
 Style
 Grammar
 Medical
Terminology
Features of Medical English
Literatures
Style:
1. objective
2. rigorous structure
3. tight logical relations
Features of Medical English
Literatures
Grammar
1. long sentences
2. passive voice
3. it-sentence structure
4. non-finite verbs
5. nominalization
Features of Medical English
Literatures
Medical terminology
1. large number
2. specialized, rarely seen in other fields
3. multiple sources, mainly from Greek
and Latin
4. fixed and precise meanings
5. difficult pronunciation
Example
 (1)
Unusual bleeding and the growth of
lumps in the womb are the two special
signs of cancer of the womb.
 (2) Abnormal hemorrhage and tumorous
enlargement of the uterus are the two
characteristic features of carcinoma of
the endometrium.