Medical Terminology I Course Syllabus
Instructor: Todd Olivera, MS,ATC,LAT
E-Mail: Olivera@rfisd.net
Course Title: Medical Terminology I
Course Description:
Study of word origin and structure through the introduction of prefixes, suffixes, root words, plurals,
abbreviations and symbols, surgical procedures, medical specialties and diagnostic procedures. To
include definitions, spelling and pronunciation of medical terms.
Student Performance:
Upon completion of the following chapters, the student will be able to do the following with at least
70% accuracy as evaluated by the instructor:
Chapter 1 Basic Word Structure
1. Divide medical words into their component parts.
2. Find the meaning of basic combining forms, prefixes, & suffixes of the medical language.
3. Use the combining forms, prefixes, & suffixes to begin to build medical words.
Chapter 2 Terms pertaining to the Body as a Whole
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Define terms that apply to the structural organization of the body.
Identify the body cavities & recognize the organs contained within those cavities.
Locate & identify the anatomical & clinical divisions of the abdomen.
Locate and name the anatomical divisions of the back.
Identify the terms that describe positions, directions, & planes of the body.
Identify the definitions for new word elements & use them to understand new medical terms.
Chapter 3 Suffixes
1. Define new suffixes & review material presented in previous chapters.
2. Analyze words using new suffixes with combining forms to build & understand terminology.
3. Name & know the functions of the different types of blood cells in the body.
Chapter 4 Prefixes
1. Define basic prefixes used in the medical language.
2. Analyze medical terms that combine prefixes & other word elements.
3. Discuss the Rh condition as an example of an antigen-antibody reaction.
Chapter 5 Digestive System
1. Name the organs of the digestive system & describe their locations & other functions.
2. Describe disease processes & symptoms that affect these organs.
3. Define combining forms for organs and the meaning of related terminology using these word parts.
Chapter 6 Digestive System Suffixes and Terminology
1. Define new suffixes & use them with digestive system combining forms.
2. List & explain laboratory tests, clinical procedures, & abbreviations common to the digestive system.
3. Apply new knowledge to understanding medical terms in their proper context.
Chapter 7 Urinary System
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Name the organs of the urinary system & describe their locations & functions.
Define various pathological conditions affecting the urinary system.
Recognize the use & interpretation of urinalysis as a diagnostic test.
Learn the meaning of combining forms, prefixes, & suffixes of the urinary system.
List & explain clinical procedures, laboratory tests, & abbreviations pertaining to the urinary system.
Apply new knowledge to understanding medical terms in their proper contexts.
Chapter 8 Female Reproductive System
1.
2.
3.
4.
Name the organs of the female reproductive system, their locations, & combining forms.
Explain how these organs & their hormones function in the processes of menstruation & pregnancy.
Identify abnormal conditions of the female reproductive system & of the newborn child.
Explain important laboratory tests, clinical procedures & abbreviations related to gynecology &
obstetrics.
5. Apply new knowledge to understanding medical terms in their proper contexts.
Chapter 9 Male Reproductive System
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Name, locate, & describe the functions of the organs of the male reproductive system.
Define abnormal & pathological conditions that affect the male reproductive system.
Differentiate among the different types of STDs.
Define combining forms used to describe the structures of the male reproductive system.
Discuss laboratory tests, clinical procedures, & abbreviations pertinent to the male reproductive
system.
6. Apply new knowledge to understanding medical terms in their proper contexts.
Chapter 10 Nervous System
1. Name, locate, & describe the functions of the major organs & parts of the nervous system.
2. Learn the combining forms & make terms using them with new & familiar suffixes of the nervous
system.
3. Define pathological conditions affecting the nervous system.
4. Describe laboratory tests, clinical procedures, & abbreviations pertaining to the nervous system.
5. Apply new knowledge to understanding medical terms in their proper contexts.
Chapter 11 Cardiovascular System
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Name the parts of the heart & associated blood vessels & their functions in the circulation of blood.
Describe the pathway of blood through the heart.
Define major pathological conditions affecting the heart & blood vessels.
Define combining forms that relate to the cardiovascular system.
Discuss laboratory tests, clinical procedures, & abbreviations pertaining to the cardiovascular
system.
6. Apply new knowledge to understanding medical terms in their proper contexts.
Chapter 12 Respiratory System
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Name the organs of the respiratory system & describe their location & function.
Identify pathological conditions that affect the respiratory system.
Recognize and learn medical terms that pertain to the respiratory system.
Describe clinical procedures & abbreviations pertaining to the respiratory system.
Apply new knowledge to understanding medical terms in their proper contexts.
Chapter 13 Blood System
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Identify terms relating to the composition, formation, & function of blood.
Differentiate among the different types of blood groups.
Identify terms related to blood clotting.
Build words & recognize combining forms used in the blood system.
Describe pathological conditions affecting blood.
Differentiate among laboratory tests, clinical procedures, & abbreviations used in connection with
the blood system.
7. Apply new knowledge to understanding medical terms in their proper contexts.
Chapter 14 Lymphatic and Immune Systems
1. Identify & analyze the structures and terms related to the lymphatic system.
2. Learn terms that describe basic elements of the immune system.
3. Describe terminology of various pathological conditions affecting the lymphatic & immune systems.
4. Differentiate among laboratory tests, clinical procedures, & abbreviations pertaining to the lymphatic
& immune systems.
5. Apply new knowledge to understanding medical terms in their proper contexts.
Chapter 15 Musculoskeletal System
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Define terms relating to the structure & functions of bones, joints, & muscles.
Describe the process of bone formation & growth.
Locate & name the major bones of the body.
Analyze the combining forms, prefixes, & suffixes used to describe bones, joints, & muscles.
Describe musculoskeletal disease conditions & terminology related to bone fractures.
Differentiate among laboratory tests, clinical procedures, & abbreviations pertaining to the
musculoskeletal system.
7. Apply new knowledge to understanding medical terms in their proper contexts.
COURSE OBJECTIVE:
To provide the student with the basic knowledge in the use of medical terminology that is used in the
various healthcare related fields.
COURSE GOALS:
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Analyze medical words by using the tools of word analysis by dividing them into component parts,
(prefixes, combining forms, & suffixes), which will en
2. Relate the medical terms to the structure and function of the human body in the context of how the
body works in health and disease.
3. Become proficient in the spelling and pronunciation of medical terminology.
Expected Student Behavior:
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:
Academic dishonesty shall constitute a violation of the college rules & regulations & is punish
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
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Copying from another student’s test paper.
Using test materials not authorized by the person administering the test.
Collaborating with or seeking aid from another student during a test without permission from the test
administrator/instructor.
Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, or soliciting, in whole or in part, the contents of an
administered/unadministered test.
Substituting for another student, or permitting another student to substitute for one’s self, to take a
test.

Bribing another person to obtain an administered/unadministered test or information about an
administered/unadministered test.
“Plagiarism” shall be defined as the appropriating, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any
means another’s work and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one’s own
written work.
“Collusion” shall be defined as the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing
written work for fulfillment of course requirements.
Grading Criteria:
EXAMS
PARTICIPATION
DAILY QUIZZES
Grade Scale:
A = 90. - 100. %
B = 80. - 89.9 %
C = 70. - 79.9 %
F = 69.9 or less %
When the student returns to class after an absence, the student will be expected to fully participate
in any class activities including quizzes or exams.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
The Randolph Field ISD attendance policy will be strictly enforced. Please see the school district
website for information regarding the board approved attendance policy.
GRADING SUMMARY:
Daily quizzes = 15 % of the final grade.
Major Exams = 60 % of the final grade.
Comp. Final = 25 % of the final grade.
100 % Total Grade
Chapter Outlines:
Ch. 1 Basic Word Structure
Ch. 2 Terms Pertaining to the Body as a Whole
Ch. 3 Suffixes
Ch. 4 Prefixes
Ch. 5 Digestive System
Ch. 6 Additional Suffixes and Digestive System Terminology
Ch. 7 Urinary System
Ch. 8 Female Reproductive System
Ch. 9 Male Reproductive System
Ch. 10 Nervous System
Ch. 11 Cardiovascular System
Ch. 12 Respiratory System
Ch. 13 Blood System
Ch. 14 Lymphatic and Immune Systems
Ch. 15 Musculoskeletal System
Additional Information:
Suggested Dictionaries:
Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary
Stedman's Illustrated Medical Dictionary
Tabers Medical Dictionary
There are NO books required in this course.