Overview
About Medical Terminology Second Edition
Medical Terminology Second Edition is a foundational textbook designed to help students master the language of healthcare. It focuses on the components of medical terms, including prefixes, suffixes, and word roots, and introduces diagnostic, therapeutic, surgical, and symptomatic terminology related to all body systems. This resource provides a clear and systematic approach to understanding and using medical terminology in real-world healthcare settings. With practical examples and exercises, students will build the vocabulary and confidence needed to communicate effectively in clinical environments. Ideal for aspiring healthcare professionals, this textbook is an essential tool for anyone preparing for a career in medicine, nursing, or allied health fields.
This textbook is aligned with the course competencies for the Wisconsin Technical College System’s (WTCS) Medical Terminology course (10-501-101). This book was written by subject matter experts and is based on reliable scholarly research and evidence. It has been carefully peer reviewed to ensure its accuracy and quality. The content was developed without relying on large language models or AI tools, ensuring that the information is grounded in expert analysis and trusted sources. The Medical Terminology course focuses on learning the components of medical terms, including prefixes, suffixes, and word roots, and also introduces students to diagnostic, therapeutic, surgical, and symptomatic terminology of all body systems.
Second Edition Updates
Detailed Revision
Licensing/Terms of Use
This textbook is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license unless otherwise indicated. This means that you are free to:
- SHARE – copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
ADAPT – remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially
Under the following terms:
- Attribution – You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
No Additional Restrictions – You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Notice – You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation.
No Warranties Are Given – The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.
Suggested Attribution Statement
Unless otherwise noted, below is a suggested attribution statement for this resource:
Ernstmeyer, K. and Christman, E. (Eds.). (2024). Medical Terminology Second Edition. Open RN | WisTech Open. https://wtcs.pressbooks.pub/medterm/
Acknowledgment of Support and Disclaimer
This book was developed through the WisTech Open project and supported by funds from WTCS. The first edition was funded by the WiLS Ideas to Action Award. The second edition was funded by U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. However, this content does not necessarily represent the policy of the WTCS, and you should not assume endorsement by the state or federal government. More information about the WisTech Open project can be found at wistechopen.org.
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