Preface
Building on the success of the past edition, Medical Terminology Simplified: A Programmed Learning Approach by
Body System, 5th edition, continues to live up to its established track record of reflecting current trends and new ap-
proaches to teaching medical terminology. This edition includes a variety of special features to make studying medical
terminology a more encompassing and rewarding experience. We have continued to develop new features, based on
feedback from instructors and students. A review of the “What’s Inside” section provides explanations and illustrations
about all of the text’s distinctive features, as well as a short introduction to the many resources available to support
the text. The design and flexibility of Simplified,5th edition, enables its use as a self-instructional book, as an eBook,
or as a text in traditional lecture and classroom environments. The organization and pedagogical devices are designed
to help instructors teach and students learn medical terminology easily and quickly. When students use the available
learning tool, they will find that the language of medicine stays with them and they can quickly apply the terminology
in the clinical field.
This edition also continues to present eponyms without showing the possessive form, such as Alzheimer disease,
Down syndrome, and Parkinson disease. Medical dictionaries, as well as the American Association for Medical Tran-
scription and the American Medical Association, support these changes. A summary of common symbols and an up-
dated list of “do-not-use” abbreviations are provided in Appendix E: Abbreviations and Symbols. In addition, all
outdated medical terms in the textbook have been replaced with the most recent, state-of-the-art terms.CHAPTERS
We have enhanced the popular, effective features found in the previous edition, so the learner can easily apply and process
the language of medicine correctly in the workplace. The main focus of this edition is to improve retention of medical
terms and relate their applications in the clinical setting. The following is a brief summary of chapter content.- Chapter 1 introduces the programmed learning, medical word-building approach. It also includes summaries
and activities to reinforce retention of common suffixes and prefixes used in medical word building. - Chapter 2 discusses the structural organization of the human body.
- Chapters 3 through 11 are organized according to specific body systems and may be taught in any sequence.
These chapters include key anatomical and physiological terms; anatomy and physiology; combining forms,
suffixes, and prefixes; terms related to signs, symptoms, and diseases, as well as diagnostic, surgical, and medical
procedures; and abbreviations. Included are section reviews and medical record activities. All activities allow
self-assessment and evaluation of competency.
APPENDICES
The appendices offer learning tools to help reinforce the information presented in the chapters. Your students will
also find the appendices useful for study, review, and reference as they begin their careers in the allied health field.- Appendix A: Glossary of Medical Word Elementscontains alphabetical lists of medical word elements with
corresponding meanings. - Appendix B: Answer Keyprovides answers to anatomical labeling and section and chapter reviews, as well as
the medical record activities. - Appendix C: Index of Diagnostic, Medical, and Surgical Procedures summarizes procedures covered in the text-
book that establish a diagnosis, as well as various methods of treatment. - Appendix D: Drug Classifications provides information on prescription and nonprescription drugs used for the
treatment of various medical conditions.
viii
3971_FM_i-xxvi 13/02/14 11:57 AM Page viii