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Medical
Terminology
The language of medicine, decoded. Master the prefixes, roots, and suffixes used across every clinical and healthcare setting.
What You'll Learn
A full semester of medical terminology — completed at your own pace, with no deadlines or fixed class times.
What You'll Be Able to Do
- Accurately decode and apply medical terms — including prefixes, suffixes, and root words — across body systems, pathological conditions, and diagnostic procedures.
- Demonstrate a foundational understanding of human anatomy and physiology through the lens of organ systems and their terminology.
- Recognize provider-level diagnoses organized by body system and interpret clinical documentation with confidence.
- Identify pathological conditions, cellular adaptations, and routes of infectious disease transmission using proper medical vocabulary.
- Navigate medical abbreviations, radiology terms, pharmacological language, and oncology terminology used in real healthcare environments.
Major Course Topics
Course chapters and lessons
Medical Terminology has 22 chapters across 76 instructional hours, as listed in the course syllabus. Expand any chapter to see the lessons inside it.
- Chapters
- 22
- Lessons
- 110
- Instructional hours
- 76 hrs
- Semester hours
- 3
Chapter 1
Core Principles of Medical Language
- 1.1 How Medical Terms Are Built & Key Diagnostic Vocabulary
- 1.2 Accuracy and Shorthand in Clinical Communication
- 1.3 Commonly Used Medical Abbreviations (A–C) & (D–J)
- 1.4 Commonly Used Medical Abbreviations (K–O) & (P–R)
- 1.5 Commonly Used Medical Abbreviations (S–Y)
Chapter 2
Word Components in Medical Language
- 2.1 Prefixes Reflecting Size, Quantity & Time in Clinical Terminology
- 2.2 Prefixes for Negation, Position & Special Indicators
- 2.3 Prefixes for Internal, External, Front, Back, Above, Below & Surrounding Locations
- 2.4 Color-Based Root Words, Suffixes for Symptoms, Conditions & Procedures
- 2.5 Noun-Based Suffixes & Frequently Confused Root Words
Chapter 3
Anatomical Positioning and Body Planes
- 3.1 Directional Terms: Anterior, Posterior & Related Positions
- 3.2 Directional Terms: Limbs, Hands, Feet, Lateral & Medial
- 3.3 Human Body Planes — Description, Structure & Visual Representation
- 3.4 Applied Directional Terminology in Anatomy
- 3.5 Major Body Cavities in Clinical Context
Chapter 4
Understanding Pathology and Its Terminology
- 4.1 Defining Pathology, Its Terminological Scope & Cell Type Changes
- 4.2 Cellular Adaptations: Growth in Size, Quantity & Tissue Pathology
- 4.3 Glandular Pathological Conditions and Their Terms
- 4.4 Routes and Modes of Infectious Disease Transmission
- 4.5 Classification Systems for Disease — Terminology
Chapter 5
Understanding Cellular and Tissue Terminology
- 5.1 Foundational Cell Biology Vocabulary & Genetics-Related Terms
- 5.2 Terms Associated with Epithelial Tissue
- 5.3 Terms Associated with Connective Tissue
- 5.4 Vocabulary for Muscle Tissue
- 5.5 Vocabulary for Nervous Tissue
Chapter 6
Exploration of Lymphatic and Immune Systems
- 6.1 Lymphatic System — Structures, Functions & Terminology
- 6.2 Pathology and Diagnostic Vocabulary of the Lymphatic System
- 6.3 Immune System Terminology at the Cellular Level
- 6.4 Major Immune Pathologies and Diagnostic Terms
- 6.5 Terminology for Immune System Treatments
Chapter 7
Medical Terminology of the Skeletal System
- 7.1 Axial & Appendicular Skeleton — Functions, Anatomy & Terminology
- 7.2 Joint Structure, Function, Cartilage Types & Bony Landmarks
- 7.3 Bone Tissue Terminology, Joint Pathologies & Major Bone Disorders
- 7.4 Fracture Types, Skeletal Diagnostics & Fracture Treatment Vocabulary
- 7.5 Terminology for Joint, Spinal & Skull Disorder Treatments
Chapter 8
Understanding Muscular System Terminology and Function
- 8.1 Key Structures, Vocabulary & Tissue Types of the Muscular System
- 8.2 Muscular Contraction, Articulation & Movement Terminology
- 8.3 Diagnostic Procedures & Common Muscle Disorder Terms
- 8.4 Pharmacological Terms for Muscular Disorder Treatment
- 8.5 Surgical Procedure Vocabulary & Rehabilitation Therapy Terms
Chapter 9
Cardiovascular System Terminology
- 9.1 Blood-Related Medical Vocabulary & ABO Blood Grouping Terms
- 9.2 Rh Factor, Rh Blood Group & Erythroblastosis Fetalis Terms
- 9.3 Components of the Circulatory System & Cardiac Anatomy Terms
- 9.4 ECG Terminology & Cardiovascular Diagnostic Procedures
- 9.5 Drug Terminology for Cardiovascular Treatment & Coronary Artery Disease
Chapter 10
Respiratory System Terminology, Diseases, and Treatments
- 10.1 Airway & Lung Anatomy, Pleural Cavities & Membrane Functions
- 10.2 Upper Respiratory Disorders, Pharynx, Larynx & Voice Disorder Terms
- 10.3 Tracheal, Bronchial, Pleural, Lung, TB & Pneumonia Terminology
- 10.4 Breathing Disorders, Oxygen Deficiency, Imaging & Respiratory Testing Terms
- 10.5 Drug Terms, Respiratory Abbreviations (A–M) & (N–Z)
Chapter 11
Understanding Gastrointestinal System Terminology
- 11.1 Key Structures of the Mouth, Esophagus & Stomach
- 11.2 Anatomy and Terminology of the Lower GI Tract
- 11.3 Accessory Digestive Organs and Their Functions
- 11.4 Core Digestive Functions and Related Vocabulary
- 11.5 Overview of GI System Integration & Clinical Relevance
Chapter 12
GI Tract Pathology, Diagnosis, and Treatment Vocabulary
- 12.1 Obstructive, Inflammatory & Autoimmune Intestinal Disorder Terms
- 12.2 GI Motility Conditions & Liver Pathology Vocabulary
- 12.3 Vocabulary for Gallbladder Conditions
- 12.4 GI Imaging, Specimen Testing & Endoscopic Examination Terms
- 12.5 Vocabulary for Stomach, Intestinal, Liver & Gallbladder Treatments
Chapter 13
Medical Terminology for the Urinary System
- 13.1 Gross Anatomy of the Urinary System
- 13.2 Common Kidney Pathologies and Their Terms
- 13.3 Diagnostic Procedure Vocabulary for Urinary Disorders
- 13.4 Terminology for Kidney Stone Treatment
- 13.5 Vocabulary for Bladder and Urethra Treatments
Chapter 14
Understanding Medical Terminology for the Nervous System
- 14.1 Defining Nerves, CNS & PNS Overview & Functional Vocabulary
- 14.2 Neuron Structure, Function & Terminology
- 14.3 Gross Anatomy of the Human Brain & Major Structures
- 14.4 Regional Brain Divisions and Their Terminology
- 14.5 Spinal Cord — Structure, Function & Clinical Terms
Chapter 15
Terms for Nervous System-Related Conditions and Treatment
- 15.1 Meningeal, Head Pathologies, Brain Disorders & Injury Terms
- 15.2 Consciousness Levels, Stroke & Spinal Cord Condition Vocabulary
- 15.3 Nerve Disorder Terms, Abnormal Sensations & Sedation Vocabulary
- 15.4 Brain & Nerve Procedure Terms, Psychiatric Drug Vocabulary & Neurological Diagnostics
- 15.5 Nervous System Medical Abbreviations (A–M) & (N–Z)
Chapter 16
Medical Terminology Related to the Eyes
- 16.1 Eye Function, Structure & Major Visual Mechanism Terms
- 16.2 Retinal Receptors — Rods, Cones, Retina & Fovea
- 16.3 Uveal Tract, Iris, Sclera, Corneal & Major Eye Disorder Terms
- 16.4 Functional Visual Defects & Pathologies of Eye-Adjacent Structures
- 16.5 Eye Diagnostics, Surgical Procedures & Lens/Laser Treatment Terms
Chapter 17
Understanding Medical Terms Related to the Ears
- 17.1 Anatomy of the Ear and Its Components
- 17.2 Outer Ear Pathologies & Middle Ear Disorder Terminology
- 17.3 Otitis Media — Clinical Language for Middle Ear Disease
- 17.4 Inner Ear Conditions & Hearing Loss Classification Terms
- 17.5 Audiological Diagnostics & Treatment Vocabulary for Ear Conditions
Chapter 18
Medical Terminology for the Integumentary System
- 18.1 Functions, Layers & Structural Terminology of the Skin
- 18.2 Vocabulary for Inflammatory, Allergic & Sweating-Related Skin Conditions
- 18.3 Nomenclature of Primary & Secondary Skin Lesions
- 18.4 Vocabulary for Bruises, Birthmarks, Burns & Infectious Skin Conditions
- 18.5 Hair Pathology, Baldness, Skin Diagnostics & Neoplastic Treatment Terms
Chapter 19
Medical Terms for the Endocrine System
- 19.1 Endocrine System — Structures, Functions & Core Terms
- 19.2 Key Hormones and Their Functional Vocabulary
- 19.3 Terminology for Endocrine Disorders
- 19.4 Clinical Relevance of Endocrine Terminology in Practice
- 19.5 Overview of Endocrine System Diagnostics & Management Terms
Chapter 20
Medical Terminology for the Reproductive Systems
- 20.1 Male Reproductive System — Structures, Functions, Disorders & Terms
- 20.2 Female Reproductive System — Structures, Functions, Diagnostics & Hormonal Treatments
- 20.3 Surgical Treatments for Uterus, Fallopian Tubes & Ovarian Conditions
- 20.4 Obstetric Pathology, Diagnostic & Treatment Vocabulary for Pregnancy & Childbirth
- 20.5 Female Reproductive Disorders, Menstrual Conditions & STD Terminology
Chapter 21
Medical Terms for Diagnostic Exams
- 21.1 Vocabulary for Vital Signs & Systemic Physical Examination
- 21.2 Basic Medical Instrument Terminology & Abnormal Clinical Sounds
- 21.3 Vocabulary for Physical Examination Positions
- 21.4 Blood Count, Physical & Chemical Blood Test Terminology
- 21.5 Urinalysis Vocabulary and Terms
Chapter 22
Radiology & Imaging Terminology
- 22.1 Vocabulary for Contrast Medium in Medical Imaging
- 22.2 Core Terminology of Medical Radiology
- 22.3 Radiographic Positioning and Projection Terminology
- 22.4 Vocabulary for CT, MRI & PET Imaging
- 22.5 Foundational Terminology of Fluoroscopy & Ultrasonography
These chapters come straight from the official course syllabus, which also sets out the graded assignment and the proctored final exam.
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The language of medicine, decoded. Master the prefixes, roots, and suffixes used across every clinical and healthcare setting.
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