Lecture 1

An Introduction to
Medical English

Warm-up
Can you list the medical
courses you know ?

Fundamental Medical Courses

biology
physiology
biochemistry,

physical chemistry, organic

chemistry, abiochemistry/inorganic chemistry,
Anatomy (systematic anatomy and regional
anatomy)
microbiology
Parasitology

Fundamental Medical Courses

histoembryology

(histology and embryology)

pharmacology
genetics
immunology
pathology

(pathophysiology, pathoanatomy )
medical psychology
medical ethics

Clinical Medical Courses

diagnostics
general surgery
internal medicine
obstetrics and gynecology
pediatrics
medical imageology
nursing science

Features of Medical English

Literatures
Style
Grammar
Medical

Terminology

Features of Medical English

Literatures
Style:

1. objective
2. rigorous structure
3. tight logical relations

Features of Medical English

Literatures
Grammar

1. long sentences
2. passive voice
3. it-sentence structure
4. non-finite verbs
5. nominalization

Features of Medical English

Literatures
Medical terminology
1. large number
2. specialized, rarely seen in other fields
3. multiple sources, mainly from Greek
and Latin
4. fixed and precise meanings
5. difficult pronunciation

Example
(1)

Unusual bleeding and the growth of

lumps in the womb are the two special
signs of cancer of the womb.
(2) Abnormal hemorrhage and tumorous
enlargement of the uterus are the two
characteristic features of carcinoma of
the endometrium.