MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY
Twin Falls High School
A/B Schedule 3rd Block
Fall 2006
INSTRUCTOR:
PHONE:
OFFICE:
TEXT:
Ms. Harshman
harshmanma@tfsd.k12.id.us
737-5208 ext 4185
Tech Room (Roper) 9-3
The Language of Medicine by Davi-Ellen Chabner
You will also need a good medical dictionary. (Mosby, Taber's, or
Miller and Keane) Barnes and Noble has dictionaries on sale early
in the semester for nursing students.
EXAMS/CASE STUDIES (Please read this very carefully).
This syllabus is your map for the semester. You will be responsible for keeping track of
exams and assignments. Use the attached list of exams and case studies.
There will be 11 exams and a final, comprehensive exam. Grading is based entirely upon
a percentage system as outlined in this syllabus. A learning unit will be comprised of similar
body systems and concepts. Using the “layered curriculum” style of learning each unit will
consist of lecture or introduction to the topic, independent-student chosen learning tools and an
exam.
There is a website for medical terminology games that is useful both for practice and for
you to create games for class exercises. The website is www.quia.com once in the website you
want to go to either instructor zone if you are creating a game or student zone to just play games.
The login is health4u and the password is maddie1. If you are creating a game please check the
box denying access to the internet for your game (ie don’t post your game to the website-I will
still be able to view your game).
EXAMS:
Exams will be offered in class on the day listed in the course syllabus. If you know in
advance you will need to miss class it is your responsibility to arrange another test time. Exams
focus primarily on the medical terminology for the chapter so understanding and practice on
vocabulary is key.
Case Studies
There will be three case studies assigned during the semester. There will be a clinical
case study situation given with questions to answers regarding the clinical situation. You are to
complete these case studies from home and you may utilize your textbook and dictionary to
answer the questions.
SPELLING ACCOUNTABILITY:
Spelling correctly is highly valued within this course (as well as in medical workplaces!).
Therefore, you will be held accountable for spelling very well on your case studies and exams.
Any misspellings will result in a half point deduction in the grade for each case study.
CLASS PHILOSOPHY:
This class is offered as a dual-credit, college level course which sets the tone and pace for
the teaching atmosphere. The entire text will be covered in the semester which is approximately
a chapter or unit each week with exam. The final is comprehensive and will cover all 22
chapters. The first two weeks of class and the first four chapters in the text are key to success
and understanding the rest of the class. Students should expect to spend 30 minutes to 1 hour
daily outside of class learning vocabulary. Organized utilization of class time should allow for
completion of the unit work-including library and research time.
I am committed to your success in this class and will work with you to master the
foundational principles for medical terminology. My requirement is active participation and
consistent work on your part to learn. My classroom is a flexible, self-paced learning
environment but it is expected that you come to class prepared to work on medical terminology
and that you use your class time to learn.
Grading Scale
Homework
Vocabulary
Participation
Exams
Case Studies
20%
10%
10%
50%
30%
Objectives
Chapter 1, 3 and 4: Introduction to Medical Terminology
Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to:
 Discuss the four parts to medical terms.
 State the importance of correct spelling of medical terms.
 Recognize word roots and the combining forms.
 Identify the most common prefixes and suffixes.
 State the rules for determining singular and plural endings.
 Define word building.
 Discuss the importance of using caution with abbreviations.
 Recognize the documents found in a medical record.
 Define the terms associated with managed care, health care settings, and billing codes.
 Understand the importance of confidentiality.
Chapter 2: Body Structure
Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to:
 Recognize the combining forms and prefixes introduced in this chapter.
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Gain ability to pronounce medical terms.
Discuss the organization of the body in terms of cells, tissues, organs, and systems.
Define the four types of tissues.
List the major organs found in the twelve organ systems.
Describe the anatomical position.
Describe the body planes.
Define directional and positional terms.
Locate and describe the nine anatomical divisions of the abdomen.
Locate and describe the four clinical divisions of the abdomen.
List the body cavities and their contents.
Identify the divisions of the back.
Interpret abbreviations associated with body structure.
Chapter 5 and 6: Digestive System
Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to:
 Recognize the combining forms and suffixes introduced in this chapter.
 Gain the ability to pronounce medical terms and major anatomical structures.
 List the major organs of the alimentary canal and their functions.
 Describe the function of the accessory organs of the digestive system.
 Identify the shape and function of each type of tooth.
 Build digestive system medical terms from word parts.
 Define vocabulary, pathology, diagnostic, and therapeutic medical terms relating to the
digestive system.
 Interpret abbreviations associated with the digestive system.
Chapter 7: Urinary System
Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to:
 Recognize the combining forms and suffixes introduced in this chapter.
 Gain the ability to pronounce medical terms and major anatomical structures.
 List the major organs of the urinary system and their functions.
 Describe the nephron and the mechanisms of urine production.
 Identify the characteristics of urine and a urinalysis.
 Build urinary system medical terms from word parts.
 Define vocabulary, pathology, diagnostic, and therapeutic medical terms relating to the
urinary system.
 Interpret abbreviations associated with the urinary system.
Chapter 8 and 9: Reproductive System
Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to:
 Recognize the combining forms and suffixes introduced in this chapter.
 Gain the ability to pronounce medical terms and major anatomical structures.
 List the major organs of the male and female reproductive systems and their functions.
 Use medical terms to describe circumstances relating to pregnancy.
 Identify the symptoms and origin of sexually transmitted diseases.
 Describe genetic disorders.
 Build male and female reproductive system medical terms from word parts.
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Define vocabulary, pathology, diagnostic, and therapeutic medical terms relating to the
male and female reproductive systems.
Interpret abbreviations associated with the male and female reproductive systems.
Chapter 10: Nervous System
Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to:
 Recognize the combining forms, prefixes, and suffixes introduced in this chapter.
 Gain the ability to pronounce medical terms and major anatomical structures.
 List the major organs of the nervous system and their functions.
 Describe the components of a nerve.
 Distinguish between the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, and
autonomic nervous system.
 Build nervous system medical terms from word parts.
 Define vocabulary, pathology, diagnostic, and therapeutic medical terms relating to the
nervous system.
 Interpret abbreviations associated with the nervous system.
Chapter 11: Cardiovascular System
Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to:
 Recognize the combining forms, prefixes, and suffixes introduced in this chapter.
 Gain the ability to pronounce medical terms and major anatomical structures.
 List the major organs of the cardiovascular system and their functions.
 Describe the flow of blood through the heart and the body.
 Explain how the electrical conduction system controls the heartbeat.
 Build cardiovascular system medical terms from word parts.
 Define vocabulary, pathology, diagnostic, and therapeutic medical terms relating to the
cardiovascular system.
 Interpret abbreviations associated with the cardiovascular system.
Chapter 12: Respiratory System
Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to:
 Recognize the combining forms and suffixes introduced in this chapter.
 Gain the ability to pronounce medical terms and major anatomical structures.
 List the major organs of the respiratory system and their functions.
 Discuss the process of respiration.
 Build respiratory system medical terms from word parts.
 Define vocabulary, pathology, diagnostic, and therapeutic medical terms relating to the
respiratory system.
 Interpret abbreviations associated with the respiratory system.
Chapter 13 and 14: Lymphatic and Hematic (Blood) Systems
Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to:
 Recognize the combining forms and suffixes introduced in this chapter.
 Gain the ability to pronounce medical terms and major anatomical structures.
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List the major organs of the lymphatic and hematic systems and their functions.
Discuss the immune response.
Describe the blood grouping systems.
Build lymphatic and hematic system medical terms from word parts.
Define vocabulary, pathology, diagnostic, and therapeutic medical terms relating to the
lymphatic and hematic systems.
Interpret abbreviations associated with the lymphatic and hematic systems.
Chapter 15: Musculoskeletal System
Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to:
 Recognize the combining forms and suffixes introduced in this chapter.
 Gain the ability to pronounce medical terms and major anatomical structures.
 List the major organs of the musculoskeletal system and describe their functions.
 Correctly place bones in either the axial or the appendicular skeleton.
 Recognize the components of a long bone.
 Identify bony projections and depressions.
 Identify the parts of a synovial joint.
 Describe the characteristics of the three types of muscle tissue.
 Distinguish the major muscles of the body.
 Use movement terminology correctly.
 Build musculoskeletal system medical terms from word parts.
 Define vocabulary, pathology, diagnostic, and therapeutic medical terms relating to the
musculoskeletal system.
 Interpret abbreviations associated with the musculoskeletal system.
Chapter 16: Integumentary System
Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to:
 Recognize the combining forms and suffixes introduced in this chapter.
 Gain ability to pronounce medical terms and major anatomical structures.
 List and describe the three layers of skin and their functions.
 Describe the four purposes of the skin.
 Name and describe the body membranes.
 List and describe the accessory organs of the skin.
 Build integumentary system medical terms from word parts.
 Define vocabulary, pathology, diagnostic, and therapeutic medical terms relating to the
integumentary system.
 Interpret abbreviations associated with the integumentary system.
Chapter 17: Special Senses: The Eye and the Ear
Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to:
 Recognize the combining forms and suffixes introduced in this chapter.
 Gain the ability to pronounce medical terms and major anatomical structures.
 List the major organs of the eye and ear and their functions.
 Describe how we see.
 Describe the path of sound vibration.
 Build eye and ear medical terms from word parts.
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Define vocabulary, pathology, diagnostic, and therapeutic medical terms relating to the
eye and ear.
Interpret abbreviations associated with the eye and ear.
Chapter 18: Endocrine System
Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to:
 Recognize the combining forms and suffixes introduced in this chapter.
 Gain the ability to pronounce medical terms and major anatomical structures.
 List the major glands of the endocrine system.
 List the major hormones secreted by each endocrine gland and discuss their functions.
 Build endocrine system medical terms from word parts.
 Define vocabulary, pathology, diagnostic, and therapeutic medical terms relating to the
endocrine system.
 Interpret abbreviations associated with the endocrine system.
 abbreviations associated with the respiratory system.
Chapter 19: Cancer Medicine
Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to:
 Classify Cancerous tumors.
 Interpret staging and grading.
 Know characteristics of tumors.
 Define carcinogenesis.
 Define vocabulary, pathology, diagnostic, and therapeutic medical terms relating to the
topics.
 Interpret abbreviations associated with the topics.
Chapter 20: Radiology
Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to:
 Know characteristics of X-rays.
 Build medical terms relating to the topics.
 Define vocabulary, pathology, diagnostic, and therapeutic medical terms relating to the
topics.
 Interpret abbreviations associated with the topics.
 Describe X-ray techniques and positioning.
Chapter 21: Pharmacology
Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to:
 Recognize the combining forms introduced in this chapter.
 Gain the ability to pronounce pharmacology terms.
 Describe the three names by which a drug can be known.
 Discuss the legal classifications of drugs.
 Recognize the different classes of drugs, their uses, and common examples.
 Identify the different routes of drug administration.
 Discuss the general rules for administering medications.
 Read a prescription.
 Define vocabulary medical terms relating to pharmacology.
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Interpret abbreviations associated with pharmacology.
Chapter 22: Psychiatry
Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to:
 Describe clinical symptoms and disorders.
 Discuss pertinent information relating to each special topic covered in this chapter.
 Build medical terms relating to the topics.
 Define vocabulary, pathology, diagnostic, and therapeutic medical terms relating to the
topics.
 Interpret abbreviations associated with the topics.