Are the methods to use historical lexicology (etymology) in contemporary medical terminology teaching reasonable?

Abstract

Latin medical terminology is an obligatory course in the curricula of the Slovak medical faculties, encompassing history of medicine condensed in origins of medical terms and their current meanings, both in theory and practice.course lecturers believe that terminology teaching should not be reduced to building sup-portive grammatical structures serving only the function to use it correctly. at present, we find terminology taught in relation to etymology and definition especially contributing. we have developed and subsequently applied a 4-type model presenting these relations in teach-ing it.Students` feedback to teaching medical terminology also from etymological aspect showed their interest in this way of teaching. in the academic years to come it calls for more specific verification of the efficiency of this teaching method in a follow-up survey.if the methods presenting etymology in confrontation with the present term definition are applied in teaching, they are reflected in better understanding and more effective fixation of terms. Our teaching experience has found this model effective in providing an easy-to-memorize aid applicable in manipulation with terms.