Medical terminology is a vocabulary for accurately describing the human body and its associated components, conditions and processes in a scientific manner. It is used in medicine by doctors and nurses, and also in a wide range of associated professions, including dentistry, veterinary care, medical practice managers, medical receptionists and many types of natural therapies.

There are two types of medical terms. Eponyms words are created by naming something after a person or, for instance, a disease named after the person who discovered it, while systematically constructed medical terms use parts of (or derivations from) other words, typically Ancient Greek or Latin.

This course is aimed to develop your awareness of terms used by doctors and nurses, and other allied professionals. 

AIMS OF THE COURSE

This course aims to teach students how to:

• Communicate clearly and effectively using medical terminology
• Explain the scope and nature of terminology used in medicine and allied professions.
• identify the meaning of words that describe general anatomical features, including disorders
• Identify the meaning of words which describe medical tools, equipment and procedures.
• Identify the meaning of words that describe pharmacological terms.
• Identify the meaning of words that describe physiological and anatomical features in the musculoskeletal system, including disorders.
• Identify the meaning of words that describe physiological and anatomical features in the respiratory and reproductive systems, including disorders.
• Identify the meaning of words that describe physiological and anatomical features in the digestive and excretory systems, including disorders.
• Identify the meaning of words that describe physiological and anatomical features in the nervous and sensory systems, including disorders.

COURSE STRUCTURE

The course is divided into ten (10) lessons, as follows:

LESSON 1: SCOPE AND NATURE OF MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY

Origin and structure of words, root word, prefixes and suffixes.

LESSON 2: ANATOMICAL TERMS AND STRUCTURE

Examples of prefixes and suffixes, location of organs, brain structure, skeletal system, body position, word forms, abbreviations and symbols.

LESSON 3: MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND PROCESSES

Diagnostic and surgical procedures and equipment, storage and handling of medicines, sterilising equipment, bacteria, common bacteria in a medical setting, types of wounds, problems resulting from wounds, treating and cleaning wounds, electrolytes, prefixes and suffixes.

LESSON 4: PHARMACOLOGICAL TERMINOLOGY

Medicinal terminology (including alternative and herbal), over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs, terminology for OTC and prescription drugs, steroids, barbiturates,  benzodiazepines, anti-psychotic drugs and anti-depressants.

LESSON 5: MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM

Major muscles, cardiac, smooth and skeletal muscles, the relationship between the muscles and the skeleton, bone and joint problems, disorders of the musculoskeletal system, prefix examples.

LESSON 6: CARDIOVASCULAR, LYMPHATIC AND IMMUNE SYSTEMS

Parts of the body, heart diagram, circulation, systole and diastole, disorders of the cardiovascular system, heart disease, heart attack, arrhythmias and abnormal blood pressure, pericarditis, tamponade, the lymphatic system and immunity, lymphatic organs, leukocytes, vaccination, types of immunity, types of vaccine, disorders of the immune system, terminology.

LESSON 7: RESPIRATORY AND REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS

Parts of the body, the respiratory system, circulation, carbon monoxide poisoning diagnostic procedures for the lungs and airways, respiratory disorders, the reproductive system, pregnancy and parturition, caesarean section, VBAC and multiple gestation, premature birth and miscarriage, reproductive disorders.

LESSON 8: DIGESTIVE AND EXCRETORY SYSTEMS

Digestive system, renal system, disorders of the digestive and renal systems, anal fissures, haemorrhoids (piles), Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome (IBS), pancreatitis, kidney stones, helicobacter pylori and stomach ulcers, diabetes.

LESSON 9: INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM (SKIN)

Parts of the body, structure of the integument, disorders, diagnostic procedures, prefix and suffix examples.

LESSON 10: NERVOUS AND SENSORY SYSTEMS

Parts of the body, disorders of the nervous system, disorders of the sensory systems, diagnostic procedures, prefix and suffix examples.

COURSE DURATION: approximately 100 hours

This course is also available in CD-ROM format - click here for more details.

EXPERT TUITION

Even though you are studying at a time and place convenient for you, you still benefit from expert guidance and tuition. Your tutor for this course is a published writer who will provide valuable feedback on each assignment you submit.

 
WRITTEN BY EXPERTS

 All courses offered on the Lifestyle Learning Direct website have been written by industry experts and are regularly updated to ensure that the information is accurate and relevant.

 
EASY-TO-UNDERSTAND LESSONS

Don’t worry if you have never studied before, as all the lessons are set out in easy-to-understand language that takes you step by step through your course. If you need additional assistance, simply contact our friendly Student Services Department staff and help will never be far away.

STUDYING ONLINE IS SIMPLE

With online training you have the advantage of being able to study anywhere you have access to a computer and the Internet. All your lessons are available on our website for you to view as you need them, or you can save them to your computer and print them so you can take them with you wherever you go.

At the end of each lesson is an online quiz so you can test your knowledge straight away. Once you are comfortable that you understand everything contained in the lesson, simply complete your assignment and upload it to the website for your tutor to mark. Once your tutor has marked your assignment you will receive an email notifying you that it is ready for collection.

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