How to Apply Online American Health Training?

Success in the USA healthcare field requires a solid comprehension of USA medical terminology. This online course will teach you the language used to describe the USA human body and prepare you for future success in related career training courses in the USA healthcare space.

Overview
You can make a difference in other people's lives if you know how to speak the language of medicine. Our Medical Terminology course is vital for healthcare professionals, as it equips you for success in career training programs in this high-demand field.

Medical terminology is the language spoken in healthcare environments. Understanding medical terminology is essential for efficient communication and operation between physicians, non-clinical staff and healthcare organizations. For medical coders and billers, job performance depends on fluency in medical terminology.

This medical terminology training course offers a comprehensive introduction to medical terminology and the human body, emphasizing the interconnectedness of various systems in health and disease. You will explore critical topics such as the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems, as well as the lymphatic and immune systems. The curriculum is structured in two parts, featuring a midterm exam after the first seven lessons and a final exam at the end of the course. Additional subjects covered include the nervous system, special senses, the integumentary system, and mental health, preparing you for a well-rounded understanding of human anatomy and medical practices.

For those who have had previous exposure and understanding of the medical language, there is an opportunity to demonstrate your prior knowledge by testing and showing mastery level in medical terminology. This feature is optional for all students. If the minimum 80% test score requirement is met, you will have the option to accept that test score in place of completing medical terminology course content or decline and complete the course in its entirety. It is important to understand that this course feature only applies to the online Medical Terminology course, the standalone course, or advanced career training course bundles that include Medical Terminology.

Funding Disclaimer: For Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funded students, please consult with your funding source representative before taking advantage of the Medical Terminology test-out feature. Different funding programs may have specific requirements and/or restrictions. If you attempt the test-out feature(s) in the Medical Terminology course without getting approval, your funding benefits may be jeopardized.

What you will learn

  • Define the word parts that make up most medical terms-roots, prefixes, and suffixes
  • Explain the functions of the various body systems
  • Identify diagnoses, procedures, and treatments common to each body system
  • Understand common medical abbreviations and acronyms
  • Recognize the importance of accuracy in spelling and pronunciation of medical terms

How you will benefit

  • Better prepare for medical coding, medical records, or medical assisting certification exams
  • Communicate effectively with other members of the healthcare team
  • Understand the information contained in medical reports and health records
  • Develop a foundation of knowledge about the human body that will enable you to be successful in your chosen medical career
  • Obtain a certificate to prove your competency in the healthcare field

Syllabus

  1. Getting Started
  2. How to Take This Course
  3. Test-Out Exam 1: Lessons 1–Midterm Exam
  4. Introduction to Medical Terminology and the Human Body in Health and Disease
  5. The Musculoskeletal System
  6. The Cardiovascular System
  7. The Lymphatic and Immune Systems
  8. The Respiratory System
  9. The Digestive System
  10. The Urinary System
  11. Midterm
  12. Test-Out Exam 2: Lessons 8–Final Exam
  13. The Nervous System
  14. Special Senses: The Eyes and Ears
  15. The Integumentary System
  16. The Endocrine System
  17. Mental Health
  18. Male and Female Reproductive Systems
  19. Diagnostic Procedures, Nuclear Medicine, and Complementary Medicine
  20. Final Exam

Requirements

Hardware Requirements:

  • This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

  • PC: Windows 10 or later.
  • Mac: macOS 12 or later.
  • Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
  • Microsoft Word Online
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader
  • Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

What is medical terminology? What is medical terminology used for?

Medical terminology is language that is used to describe anatomical structures, processes, conditions, medical procedures, and treatments

You can make a difference in other people's lives if you know how to speak the language of medicine. This online medical terminology course will help you gain a greater understanding of the human body, how to describe it, and how to use medical terminology in a healthcare setting.

How long does it take to complete this course?

After you register, you will receive 6 months to complete the course. The time allotted for completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours.

Can I test-out of medical terminology content if I have previous knowledge of medical terminology?

Yes. This course includes two, optional, Test-Out Exam features that will allow you to test out of content and graded assessments if your score demonstrates the level of mastery required (80%). It does not count toward your overall score in this course if you do not achieve the minimum score required for mastery. Please note: Third party funded students may not be eligible.

When can I start this course?

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course whenever you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

What if I don't have enough time to complete the course within the time frame provided?

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

What kind of support will I receive?

Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.

Medical Terminology Course Description

The Medical Terminology Online Course teaches students the terminology used in the medical coding and billing profession, as well as how it applies in clinical settings. When you enroll in this course, your registration will include:

  • A world-class textbook featuring a comprehensive medical terminology glossary and detailed, full-color illustrations to clarify text and support visual learning (Medical Terminology: An Illustrated Guide, Ninth Edition Barbara Janson Cohen, MSEd, and Shirley A. Jones, MSEd, MHA, MSN, EMT-P, RN)
  • Reading assignments, practice exercises, module review tests, and a final exam.
  • Online coaching on an individual, as-needed basis.

Medical Terminology Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of the online medical terminology classes, students will be able to:

  • Correctly identify the roles of the four types of word parts in forming medical terms
  • Analyze unfamiliar medical terms using that knowledge of word parts
  • Define anatomy and physiology and use anatomic reference systems to identify the anatomic position for all major organ systems
  • Learn medical terms and medical abbreviations for each body system

Medical Terminology Course Content

  • Introduction to Medical Terminology. Students will learn the component parts that form most medical terms and be able to recognize, remember, and properly use those terms.
  • Disease and Treatment. Students will be able to describe major categories of disease, infectious organisms, and the responses common to diseases. They will be able to describe the methods of patient examination, diagnosis, and treatment. Students will also be able to identify major categories of drugs and differentiate between generic and brand names. They will learn to use terminology and word parts pertaining to diseases, patient examination, diagnosis, treatment, surgery, and drugs.
  • Circulation, Blood and Immunity. Students will be able to identify the structure and function of the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems in their normal and clinical aspects. In addition to learning medical terms and medical abbreviations involving the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems, they will learn about disorders and gain an understanding of the complexity and interrelationship of the two systems.
  • Respiration and Digestion. Students of the Medical Terminology Course will learn the mechanisms, functions, and disorders of the respiratory system and be able to use the appropriate terminology pertaining to the respiratory system. They will also learn about the structures, functions, and disorders of the digestive system.
  • Urinary and Male Reproductive System. Students will be able to identify the structures and functions of the urinary system, as well as the clinical aspects and urology-related medical terms. In this module, students will also learn how to identify the structures and functions of the male reproductive system and gain an understanding of male reproductive disorders.
  • Female Reproductive System, Pregnancy and Birth. Students will be able to identify the structures and functions of the female reproductive system. They will also learn the clinical aspects of the reproductive system, pregnancy, and birth, as well as common medical terms and abbreviations used in reference to the female reproductive system.
  • Endocrine and Nervous Systems, Behavioral Disorders. Students will learn the components and functions of the nervous system, major behavioral disorders, and medical terms and abbreviations used in neurology.

    Additionally, students will gain an understanding and appreciation of the complexity of the endocrine system, including its various hormones and how they interact with other body systems. Students will be able to identify the structures and functions, learn the different disorders, and gain practical use of medical terms pertaining to the endocrine system.

  • The Senses. Students will become familiar with terms, roots, and abbreviations related to the senses. This medical terminology class will give them a greater understanding of the challenges associated with living with disorders involving the senses.
  • The Skeleton and Muscular Systems. Students of the medical terminology training course will become familiar with the terms, roots, abbreviations, and disorders related to both the skeletal system and the muscular system.
  • The Skin. Students will be able to identify the anatomy of the skin and its associated structures. Students will also learn the clinical aspects of the skin, common medical terms, and abbreviations used in reference to the integumentary system.

Why Take a Medical Terminology Course?

Can you name the nine divisions of the abdomen? Do you know the difference between the coronal and sagittal plane? Can you locate the dorsal and ventral body cavities? The answers to these questions are rooted in a highly specialized vocabulary.

Words like dysgeusia, gonagra, and iliopagus sound like a foreign language — almost unknowable — without a background in the life sciences or business of healthcare. But you don’t have to quit your career goals or stay in a dead-end job because the language of medicine is Greek to you.  

With a systematic and conceptual approach, AAPC’s medical terminology training course will give you a solid foundation of important healthcare vocabulary. As we break words down into building blocks and lay a framework that helps you understand new terms, you’ll see your medical language skills take off.

Who Should Take a Medical Terminology Class?

Fluency in medical terminology is a must for medical coders and billers whose essential role involves translating patient health information into medical codes.

AAPC strongly recommends the Medical Terminology Online Course for students taking the Certified Outpatient Coder (COC®) and Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC®) training courses, as well as the CPC and CPB courses. Because the language of medicine is vital to job performance, all certification exams will test your knowledge of medical terminology, including the CPC exam.

The value of this course extends beyond medical billing and coding and is equally important to students preparing for other non-clinical healthcare careers. You must be able to use medical terminology to participate in daily interactions — understanding what you read, write, and discuss — whether you’re studying to become a medical records technician, medical transcriber, medical scribe, HEDIS abstractor, charge description master (CDM) analyst, cancer registrar, patient service representative, or fraud investigator.

The Medical Terminology Online Course is also valuable to people returning to healthcare after a period of absence, or for professionals transferring from a specialty to a field of medicine requiring a broader vocabulary.

You will notice that the Medical Terminology Online Course is not a prerequisite for enrolling in an AAPC coding and billing training program. That’s because professionals coming from clinical roles, such as registered nurses and physicians, for example, are already well-versed in medical terminology and do not need this or the anatomy training. The medical terminology course, however, should not be considered optional for persons without substantial familiarity with medical terminology.

Posted on 2026/05/27 09:17 AM