Presentation of a new Textbook in Medical Terminology

Conquering the complexities of anatomical terminology has always been a very daunting task for many aspiring students in anatomy, whether in human or veterinary sciences. Terminology for the health sciences was established over many centuries, deriving most of its origins from the classical Greek and Latin, which, even today, still form the basis of almost all terminology used in health sciences. In the mid-nineties, the Academia Latina of the School of Ancient Languages established a short course in medical terminology that was included in the early MBChB curriculum of the, then, Faculty of Medicine. Gradually this course, initially for only the Medical students, was expanded to other Faculties and courses until, today, with close to 950 students per annum, it involves almost all students from the Faculty of Health Sciences (Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing Science, Radiography and Human Nutrition) some students from the Faculties of Veterinary Sciences, Law, Natural and Agricultural Sciences and Biokinetics, Sport and Leisure Sciences, and a pupils from private schools in Pretoria.

Initially, the textbook Medical Terminology, Exercises in Etymology, written by CW Dunmore and RM Fleischer was used as prescribed text. However, the need for an own unique textbook had been an ideal fostered for many years and has now been realised in collaboration with Van Schaik’s Publishers under the commissioning editorship of Ms Lydia Reid. Ms. Corrie Schumann, Mr. Koot Bosman and Dr. Koos Kritzinger from Academia Latina, School of Ancient Languages, Prof. Jan Meiring and Ms. Linda Greyling from Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine and Prof Peter Abrahams from Girton College, Cambridge have written and completed the new textbook, called Medical Terminology for students of the health professions. Text illustrations and the cover design for the book was done by Ms. Marinda Pretorius, also from the Department of Anatomy.

In the preface of the first edition, Prof. Jan Meiring, also acting as Editor of the book, writes that following a course in medical terminology provides the student with a key to unlock this specialized language, often referred to as incomprehensible by the uninitiated. He continues that it is the sincere wish of the authors of the book to contribute to making the studies of the student in the health sciences a meaningful experience.

On Tuesday 26 September 2006, the new textbook on Medical Terminology was officially presented to the authors by Ms Lydia Reid at a function held in the Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences building.

On the picture from right to left appears:

Ms Linda Greyling, Prof Hennie Stander, Ms Marinda Pretorius, Dr Koos Kritzinger, Ms Corrie Schumann, Ms Esther Buitendach, Ms Lydia Reid, Ms Leandri van der Elst, Ms Liefie du Plessis, Mr Koot Bosman, Prof Jan Meiring en Mr Werner von Gruenewaldt.

Conquering the complexities of anatomical terminology has always been a very daunting task for many aspiring students in anatomy, whether in human or veterinary sciences. Terminology for the health sciences was established over many centuries, deriving most of its origins from the classical Greek and Latin, which, even today, still form the basis of almost all terminology used in health sciences. In the mid-nineties, the Academia Latina of the School of Ancient Languages established a short course in medical terminology that was included in the early MBChB curriculum of the, then, Faculty of Medicine. Gradually this course, initially for only the Medical students, was expanded to other Faculties and courses until, today, with close to 950 students per annum, it involves almost all students from the Faculty of Health Sciences (Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing Science, Radiography and Human Nutrition) some students from the Faculties of Veterinary Sciences, Law, Natural and Agricultural Sciences and Biokinetics, Sport and Leisure Sciences, and a pupils from private schools in Pretoria.

Initially, the textbook Medical Terminology, Exercises in Etymology, written by CW Dunmore and RM Fleischer was used as prescribed text. However, the need for an own unique textbook had been an ideal fostered for many years and has now been realised in collaboration with Van Schaik’s Publishers under the commissioning editorship of Ms Lydia Reid. Ms. Corrie Schumann, Mr. Koot Bosman and Dr. Koos Kritzinger from Academia Latina, School of Ancient Languages, Prof. Jan Meiring and Ms. Linda Greyling from Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine and Prof Peter Abrahams from Girton College, Cambridge have written and completed the new textbook, called Medical Terminology for students of the health professions. Text illustrations and the cover design for the book was done by Ms. Marinda Pretorius, also from the Department of Anatomy.

In the preface of the first edition, Prof. Jan Meiring, also acting as Editor of the book, writes that following a course in medical terminology provides the student with a key to unlock this specialized language, often referred to as incomprehensible by the uninitiated. He continues that it is the sincere wish of the authors of the book to contribute to making the studies of the student in the health sciences a meaningful experience.

On Tuesday 26 September 2006, the new textbook on Medical Terminology was officially presented to the authors by Ms Lydia Reid at a function held in the Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences building.

On the picture from right to left appears:

Ms Linda Greyling, Prof Hennie Stander, Ms Marinda Pretorius, Dr Koos Kritzinger, Ms Corrie Schumann, Ms Esther Buitendach, Ms Lydia Reid, Ms Leandri van der Elst, Ms Liefie du Plessis, Mr Koot Bosman, Prof Jan Meiring en Mr Werner von Gruenewaldt.