Medical Terminology

Description

This unit introduces students to the foundational language of healthcare: medical terminology. The unit will cover anatomical terms, medical terminology related to body systems, and practical applications through interactive activities such as flashcards, games, and case studies. Students will develop the skills needed to accurately use and understand medical terms, setting the stage for further study in healthcare fields. 

Objectives

  1. Define and use basic medical terminology, including root words, prefixes, and suffixes. 

  2. Identify and describe anatomical positions and planes. 

  3. Apply medical terminology to describe body systems and common medical conditions. 

  4. Use flashcards and games to reinforce understanding of medical terminology. 

  5. Analyze and solve case studies using appropriate medical terminology. 

  6. Collaborate with peers to enhance understanding of medical terms through interactive activities. 

Student Introduction

Medical terminology refers to the words and language used specifically in the medical and health fields. The proper definition describes medical terminology as language used to describe anatomical structures, procedures, conditions, processes and treatments in the medical field. 

While memorizing terms across that many disciplines might seem impossible, medical language can be simplified when you understand that nearly all medical terms can be broken down into three parts: the prefix, the root and the suffix. (Website)

Prefix — appears at the beginning of a term and indicates a location, direction, type, quality or quantity. 

Root — can appear at the beginning of the word if prefix is absent, but the root indicates the primary meaning of the medical term. 

Suffix — appears at the end of the word and indicates a specialty, test, procedure, function, disorder or status. 

In preparation for this unit, ask students to watch the following videos to provide foundational knowledge prior to the activities: 

Lesson Outlines