Medical Terminology

Course Content from McGraw-Hill
Course Number: MEDTERM101 Download Course Syllabus

AHIMAThis course introduces elements of medical terminology, such as the etymology of words used to describe the human body. Students learn to apply proper terminology and spelling for major pathological conditions. This course identifies and explains the terms used for the integumentary, respiratory, nervous, reproductive, endocrine, urinary, digestive, lymphatic, hematic, immune, and musculoskeletal systems. It compares and contrasts the different body systems. Students define and describe the function of each system of the body.

  • Self Paced
  • Medical
  • Content by McGraw-Hill
Online Course
Medical Terminology   +$59.00
15 CEUs
15 CEUs   +$0.00
Proctoring (included)
Tutoring (included)
Credits 3

11/24/12 by thector87

Easy to understand concepts with nice interactive supplements.

10/22/12 by fullmoonrisingfarm

I like having both the video to listen to and the book to read. Different learning styles.

9/25/12 by waltonarnp

I liked everything-it was great!

9/14/12 by aniesha27

I liked learning something new everyday. There was things that I didn't know about and had to do further research to understand it a little bit more.

8/10/12 by jwazny

I liked that the content was presented in a way that allowed me to learn the material quickly.

7/15/12 by mehector91

I liked the chapter reading assignments. I was able to visualize and understand the subject matter better.

7/4/12 by moira0525

I liked the entire course. It was great for someone like me with medical terminology used in their previous job as I was familiar with the majority of the information and could proceed at my pace.

It would be a great course for someone who does not have Medical Terminology experience.

5/15/12 by ginmcg

I liked the quick tests

5/13/12 by victordeta

I liked the quizzes and work sheets e.g crossword puzzles

5/11/12 by amberfdavis

I liked the reading assignments

5/5/12 by marshajsumner

I liked the reviews and homework section because it helped me to know where I needed to study more.

4/10/12 by wrgentry

I love this topic in general and enjoyed the course. I liked the extra reviews and flashcards.

4/7/12 by ken.long67

I loved the actual terminology aspect of the course.

1/25/12 by rubinfeldc

The information was given over in a very clear, interesting and exciting way. I liked the clear illustrations and additionally recorded info.
The checklist made it very clear what was expected of me and where I was up to.

1/24/12 by alexis.rouvelas

The interactive review lessons throughout the course to test your knowledge were very helpful. It aided as a review throughout the course instead of trying to remember everything that was learned by the end of the lesson.
I really enjoyed the text that could be read as the narrator would describe each page. That was very beneficial to me and my note taking. I liked to take notes of what he said as well because it would show up on some quizzes on test.

2/21/11 by aankoop

 

2/21/11 by babeystarz

 

2/20/11 by ccisam

 

2/20/11 by damian.k.baker

 

2/19/11 by dev_wilmot

 

2/19/11 by duckrivergirl

 

2/18/11 by elizabethguillen87

 

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Course Objectives

After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Identify and explain the word parts used to construct medical terms.
  • Summarize HIPAA and Allied Health Professions. 
  • Identify and differentiate cells, tissues, organs, systems, and cavities, and explain their importance to the human body. 
  • Apply proper terminology and spelling for the major pathological conditions of the body. 
  • Identify and explain the terms used for the integumentary system. 
  • Identify and explain the terms used for the respiratory system. 
  • Identify and explain the terms used for the nervous system. 
  • Identify and explain the terms used for the reproductive systems. 
  • Identify and explain the terms used for the endocrine system. 
  • Identify and explain the terms used for the urinary system. 
  • Identify and explain the terms used for the digestive system. 
  • Identify and explain the terms used for the lymphatic, hematic, and immune systems. 
  • Identify and explain the terms used for the musculoskeletal system. 
  • Compare and contrast the body systems. 
  • Define and describe the function of each system of the body.

Topic Lesson Topic Subtopics Objectives
1 Learning Medical Terminology
  • History
  • Forming Medical Words
  • Prefixes
  • Suffixes
  • Legal and Ethical Issues
  • Outline the origins and history of medical words.
    • Describe the word parts used to construct medical terms.
    • Demonstrate how terms are made plural.
    • Recognize and define the prefixes used in medical terminology.
    • Recognize and define the suffixes used in medical terminology.
    • Summarize HIPAA and Allied Health Professions.
  • 2 The Body as a Whole
    • Body Structure and Organization 
    • Directional Terms, Planes, and Regions
    • Terminology Presentation
    • Terminology Application
    • Identify and differentiate cells, tissues, organs, systems, and cavities, and explain their importance to the human body.
    • Diagram and label the directional terms, planes, and the major regions of the body.
    • Label on a diagram the planes and directional terms of the body.
    • Recognize and define the medical terms related to the elements of the body.
    • Define word parts related to body systems.

    3 The Integumentary System
    • Structure and Function
    • Diagnostic, Procedural, and Lab Terms
    • Symptoms, Abnormalities, and Conditions
    • Combining Forms 
    • Surgical Terms 
  • Diagram and label the three layers of the skin.
  • Describe each gland of the skin and the secretion of each.
  • Define the terms for skin, hair, and nails.
  • List proper terminology and spelling for the major pathological conditions of the integumentary system.
  • Summarize the surgical terms for the skin, hair, and nails.


  • 4 The Musculoskeletal System
  • Structure and Function
  • Terminology Presentation
  • Terminology Application
  • Symptoms, Abnormalities, and Conditions
  • Pharmacological Terms
  • Identify and describe the parts of the musculoskeletal system.
  • Organize the bones by their location in the axial and appendicular skeleton.
  • Recognize and define terms for body movement pertaining to the bones, joints, and muscles.
  • Classify the terms related to the musculoskeletal system.
  • Identify and explain the terms related to the muscles.
  • Discuss terms related to diagnosis, clinical procedures of abnormalities, and conditions of the musculoskeletal system. 
  • 5 The Respiratory System
  • Structure and Function
  • Terminology Presentation
  • Terminology Application
  • Diagnostic, Procedural, and Laboratory Terms
  • Pharmacological Terms
  • Surgical Terms     


    • Locate and label the respiratory system and its parts.
    • Explain the terms related to the upper and lower tracts of the respiratory system.
    • Identify the terms applying to the larynx, trachea, and bronchi.
    • Recognize and list the terms related to lungs, chest, and breathing.
    • Interpret terms related to diagnosis and clinical procedures of the respiratory system.
    • List and describe the common pharmacological agents for treating respiratory system disorders.
    • Recognize and define the terms for the surgical procedures and repairs. 
    6 The Cardiovascular System
  • Structure and Function
  • Terminology Presentation
  • Terminology Application
  • Pathological Terms
  • Diagnostic, Procedural, and Laboratory Terms
  • Surgical Terms
  • Pharmacological Terms 


  • Diagram and label each part of the cardiovascular system.
  • Describe and discuss coronary, pulmonary, systemic, and fetal circulation as vessels of the cardiovascular system.
  • Define the terms for each part of the cardiovascular system.
  • Describe the relationship between blood pressure and the circulatory system.
  • Identify and list the definitions of each surgical term related to the cardiovascular system.
  • Explain the significance and use of the medications for cardiovascular system disorders and treatments.

  • 7 The Digestive System
  • Structure and Function
  • Terminology Presentation
  • Terminology Application
  • Diagnosis and Clinical Procedure
  • Pharmacological Terms
  • Surgical Terms     


  • Diagram and label the digestive system parts.
  • Explain the process of digestion.
  • Define the terms related to the mouth, throat, tongue, and esophagus.
  • Diagram and label the parts of the oral cavity (mouth).
  • Identify and explain the parts of the stomach and small intestine.
  • List proper terminology and spelling for the parts of the digestive system.
  • Diagram and label the parts of the large intestine, including the anus.
  • Define the terms related to the diagnosis and clinical procedures of the digestive system.
  • List and describe the purpose of the medications associated with digestive system orders and treatments.
  • List and summarize eating disorders and disorders of the stomach, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.
  • List and define the surgical terms and procedures of the digestive system. 
  • 8 The Urinary System
  • Structure and Function
  • Terminology Presentation
  • Terminology Application
  • Disorders and Conditions
  • Pathological Terms
  • Surgical Terms     
  • Discuss and label the parts of the urinary system.
  • Explain how the urinary system operates.
  • List and define the medical terms associated with the parts of the urinary system.
  • Define the terms related to the diagnosis and clinical procedures of the urinary system.
  • Explain the terms for each major pathological condition associated with the urinary system.
  • List and define the surgical procedures and repair terms to the urinary system.
  • 9 The Nervous System
  • Structure and Function
  • Terminology Presentation
  • Terminology Application
  • Pathological Terms
  • Diagnostic, Procedural, and Laboratory Terms
  • Surgical Terms
  • Pharmacological Terms     
  • Diagram and label the parts of the brain.
  • Explain and define the parts and importance of the central nervous subsystem.
  • Compare and contrast the two peripheral nervous systems.
  • Recognize and define the terminology for the nervous system.
  • Identify diseases and disorders of the nervous system.
  • List and describe terms used for the various tests given to detect malformations, disorders, or abnormalities of the nervous system.
  • List and define the procedural and repair terms of the nervous system.
  • Describe the function of the pharmacological treatments related to the nervous system.
  • 10 The Endocrine System
    • Structure and Function
    • Terminology Presentation
    • Terminology Application
    • Pathological Terms
    • Pharmacological Terms     
  • Diagram and label the parts of the endocrine system.
  • Explain the function of each gland in the endocrine system.
  • List and describe the function or purpose of the hormone produced by each gland.
  • List proper terminology and spelling for the root/combining forms of the terms for the endocrine system.
  • Recognize and define the terms for the pathological conditions of the endocrine system.
  • Compare and contrast the drug class terms for treating disorders of the endocrine system. 

  • 11 The Sensory System
  • Structure and Function
  • Terminology Presentation
  • Terminology Application
  • Surgical Terms and Procedures of the Eyes

  • Diagram and label the parts of the eye.
  • Recognize and define the terms for the eye.
  • List terms related to the ear and hearing.
  • List proper terminology and spelling for the sensory system.
  • List and define disorders that affect eyesight and hearing.
  • Select the appropriate drug class term associated with treating disorders of the sensory system and describe the drug's purpose. 
  • 12 The Lymphatic, Hematic, and Immune Systems
  • Terminology Application
  • Diagnostic, Procedural, and Laboratory Terms
  • Lymphatic System Terminology
  • Immune System Terminology
  • Surgical Terms
  • Pharmacological Terms     
  • Report and employ terms used to reference pathological conditions of the blood.
  • Define the terms related to the diagnosis and clinical procedures of the blood system.
  • Explain the six functions of the lymphatic system.
  • Explain how the immune system operates.
  • List and define the surgical procedures and repair terms of the lymphatic, hematic, and immune systems.
  • Recognize and define the terms specific to antibiotics, antihistamines, and anticoagulants used for the lymphatic, hematic, and immune system. 
  • 13 Systems of The Female Reproductive System
  • Structure and Function
  • Terminology Presentation
  • Terminology Application
  • Disorders and Conditions
  • Surgical Terms     
  • Diagram and label each part of the female reproductive system.
  • List and define the root/combining forms for the terms related to the female reproductive system.
  • Identify and discuss the terms related to menstruation, dictating female gender, pregnancy, and birth.
  • Explain the terms for possible abnormalities, complications, or infections of the reproductive system.
  • Recognize and define the surgical terms for procedures and repairs to the female reproductive system. 
  • 14 The Male Reproductive System
  • Structure and Function
  • Terminology Presentation
  • Terminology Application
  • Pathological Terms
  • Surgical Terms     
  • Diagram and label each part of the male reproductive system.
  • List and define the root/combining forms for the terms related to the male reproductive system.
  • Explain the terms for possible abnormalities, complications, or infections of the reproductive system.
  • Recognize and define the terms for the male reproductive disorders and treatments.
  • Recognize and define the terms and treatments for infertility and erectile dysfunction.
  • Recognize and define the terms for procedures and repairs to the male reproductive system. 
  • 15 Course Review
    • Review
    • Review of the course topics

    There are no prerequisites to take Introduction to Medical Terminology.

    book cover

    Medical Terminology: Language for Health Care provides the comprehensive coverage needed for a 2-term or intensive 1-term Medical Terminology course. It provides clear instruction on the basics of anatomy and physiology, using a body systems approach, and making use of extensive new line art figures and photos. The text includes both clinical and administrative office examples and cases that provide a realistic context for introducing terms and definitions. The student textbook comes with a free Student CD-ROM with interactive exercises and activities, and a two-CD audio program for building pronunciation skills.

    Thierer, Nina; Breitbard, Lisa. Medical Terminology: Language for Health Care, 3rd edition. McGraw-Hill, 2010. ISBN: 9780077302344

    StraighterLine does not apply letter grades. Students earn a score as a percentage of 100%. A passing percentage is 70% or higher.

    If you have chosen a Partner College to award credit for this course, your final grade will be based upon that college's grading scale. Only passing scores will be considered by Partner Colleges for an award of credit.

    There are a total of 1000 points in the course:

    Topic Assessment Points Available

    Graded Exam #1 125

    Graded Exam #2
    125
      Graded Midterm Exam 200

    Graded Exam #3 125

    Graded Exam #4 125
    Review Final Graded Exam
    300
    Total
    1000

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