Dictionary Terms 1-107 Flashcards
Limb movement laterally away from the body
Abduction
Progressive loss of function of a tissue or of an organ
Abiotrophy
Any puss-filled, walled off lesion
Abscess
The ‘cup’ or ‘socket’ portion of a joint
Acetabulum
A chemical used as a major neurotransmitter in the CNS & muscles, including the autonomic nervous system
Acetyl Choline (ACh) (biochemistry)
An enzyme able to break down Acetylcholine
Acetylcholinesterase (AChase) (biochemistry)
A vital protein component of muscles
Actin
Of severe, rapid onset
Acute
Limb movement medically towards the body
Adduction
The carrier for phosphate, combined to produce ATP
Adenosine Diphosphate (ADP) (biochemistry)
The major form of energy used by the cells
Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) (biochemistry)
The formation of scar tissue between structures not normally joined. Can create changes in locomotion and/or pain
Adhesion
Hormone acting to increase sugar and blood pressure and accelerate heart rate. Same as Epinephrine
Adrenaline
Represents the oxygen consumption to regenerate creative phosphate post-exercise
Alactic debt (biochemistry)
Major protein in plasma, this maintains osmotic pressure in bloody vessels and acts as a transport protein for several substances
Albumin
A form of autoimmunity. Histamine is released when sensitised cells are exposed to an allergen
Allergy
Conversion of simple substances to more complex ones
Anabolism
The breakdown of glucose or glycogen without the need for oxygen. Used in fast exercise. End product is lactate
Anaerobic Glycolysis
Inability to flex or extend a joint; occurs secondary to trauma, infection or surgery. The end stage of DJD/osteoarthritis
Ankylosis
These function to maintain tendon alignment where tendons cut across a joint
Annular
Controls water balance by acting on the kidneys to alter urine concentration
Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
Imperfect development of an organ or tissue
Aplasia
The portion of the skeleton that is composed of the bones forming the pelvis and limbs
Appendicular
Inflammation of a joint. Earliest stage of osteoarthritis
Arthritis
Any joint disease
Arthropathy
Surgical procedure that uses an arthroscope to examine and carry out surgery while avoiding the need for a major incision
Arthroscopy
A joint. Many different types
Arthrosis
Pertaining to a joint
Articular
Fracture involving a joint. Risk of arthritis progressing to DJD
Articular Fracture (orthopaedics)
Chronic soft swelling of fetlock joint (aka wind puffs)
Articular Windgalls (conformation)
A muscle enzyme released with moderate - severe muscle damage. Used as a diagnostic aid with CPK
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)
Remove fluid from a joint space, cavity or tissue using a syringe
Aspirate
Typically taken to indicate a wasting or shrinkage of organ or tissue - not actually correct - actually means ‘no growth’
Atrophy
Group of diseases where the immune system attack is the body’s own cells
Autoimmunity
Not subject to conscious control - involved in regulation of heartbeat, glandular secretions and smooth muscle contractions
Autonomic Nervous System
Pulling or tearing away
Avulsion
Area composed of skull, vertebrae, ribs and sternum
Axial
Finger-like extension of nerve cells along which nerve impulses travel
Axon
Area of the neurone body which is the start of the action potential. Acts as a summator of events from dendritic inputs
Axon Hillock
An unwillingness to work, horse is anxious, sweats and has stilted movements. Muscles become damaged and muscle enzymes are elevated
Azoturia
Presence of bacteria (but not infection) in the blood stream
Bacteraemia
The bottom layer of the epidermis. Attached to a basement membrane
Basal cell layer
Contralateral pairs of limbs have narrower foot placement than normal
Base narrow
Contralateral pairs of limbs have wider foot placement than normal
Base wide
Inflammation of the bicipital bursa/tendon (located under the biceps tendon)
Bicipital Bursitis / Tendonitis (orthopaedics)
Distension of the stomach
Bloat
A twisting of the bowel (twisted gut)
Bowel torsion
Rounded skull and short maxilla/premaxilla. Usually prognathic. Pugs and boxers are typical examples
Brachiocephalic
Lower jaw is shorter than the upper one. This puts the lower incisors further behind the upper ones
Brachygnathism
Rupture of the suspensory apparatus I.e. The loss of one of more of the supporting structures of the fetlock
Broken down
Common cause of lameness, especially in flat-footed thoroughbreds (stone bruise)
Bruised sole
Injury caused by the foot or shoe of one limb striking the other. Damage occurs on the inside of the coronary band, Pastern, fetlock or canon
Brushing
Inflammation and haemorrhage over the front surface if the cannon bone. Common in 2-3 year old racehorses
Bucked shins
Advanced degenerative arthritis caused by new bone growth of the extensor ess of the coffin bone, leads to change of shape of the foot. Presents as a sudden, moderate lameness
Buttress foot
Heel bone. Fibulae tarsal bone
Calcaneous
Bony deposits in soft tissues
Calcification
Bone with spongy or lattice like internal structure e.g. Bone marrow
Cancellous
Chronic overgrowth of the tissues in the foot that produce horn. This is usually due to housing in unsanitary conditions
Canker
Third metacarpal/metatarsal bone
Cannon
Subcutaneous swelli (bursa) at the point of hock. Cosmetic blemish. No action required
Capped hock
Muscle layer of heart
Cardiac muscle
Enlarged heart, seen in cardiomyopathy
Cardiomegaly
Disease of cardiac muscle. Genetic or nutritional. Affects the function of the heart as a pump
Cardiomyopathy
Of the carpus
Carpal (carpo)
Construction of the annular ligament on the Palmer aspect of the carpus, often leading to lameness
Carpal tunnel syndrome (orthopaedics)
Inflammation affecting carpus and associated structures
Carpitis
Tissue matrix of proteins and carbohydrate (proteoglycans) with embedded chrondrocytes. Hyaline and fibrous forms
Cartilage (orthopaedics)
Specialised imaging technique producing cross sectional images of the body
Computer Aided Tomography (CAT) (diagnostics)
The breakdown of complex compounds into simpler ones
Catabolism
Nerve roots at the caudal end of the spinal cord
Cauda Equina (neurology)
Towards the tail
Caudal
Comprised of forebrain and cerebrum, midbrain, hindbrain and cerebellum and spinal cord
Central nervous system (CNS) (neurology)
Area of the brain concerned with motor function, balance and coordination
Cerebellum (neurology)
Degenerative disease of the neck vertebrae
Cervical spondylopathy (orthopaedics)
General term for molars and premolars, usually referring to herbivores
Cheek teeth
Phasic changes in the depth of respiration. Seen in circulatory disorders or after intense exercise
Cheyne-Stokes breathing (neurology)
Malignant tumour of cartilage
Chondrosarcoma
Scar formation
Cicatrization
Limb movement in an arc rather than in the Sagittal plane
Circumduction
Kreb’s cycle. Enables the oxidation of glucose and fats to produce energy (ATP). Requires oxygen
Citric Acid Cycle (CAC) (biochemistry)
CK
Creatine phosphokinase (biochemistry)
Distal phalanx (P3) of the limb, incorporated into the hoof
Coffin bone
Inflammation of the large colon. Can become chronic
Colitis
Bone is broken or crushed into fragments
Comminuted Fracture (orthopaedics)
An open fracture where one breaks through the skin
Compound fracture (orthopaedics)
Curved joint surface
Condyle
Overall physical appearance reflecting the arrangement of muscle, bone and tissue
Conformation
Differing types of supportive tissues that hold body structures together
Connective tissue
Orthopaedic condition occurring in foals. Associated with rapid growth rate and high levels of nutrition
Contracted tendons (orthopaedics)
On the opposite side
Contralateral
A bruise
Contusion
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
COPD
Changed into hardened tissue, of skin
Cornified
Ring of vascular tissue along the upper edge of the hoof wall from which horn of the hoof grows
Coronary
Inflammation of the coronary band
Coronitis
Steroid hormones, cortisol etc produced by the cortex of the adrenal gland
Corticosteroids (biochemistry)
Creatine Phosphokinase
CPK (biochemistry)
The result of dermatitis or infection situated below the back of the fetlock and between the heels
Cracked heels
Towards the front of the animal, including the front facing aspects of the limbs
Cranial
Better name than anterior cruciate ligament
Cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) (orthopaedics)
A compound in muscles used as a rapid method of regenerating ATP
Creative phosphate (CrP) (biochemistry)
A muscle specific enzyme. Raised levels of this can indicate muscle disorders, very sensitive. Used with AST
Creating phosphokinase (CPK) (biochemistry)
A breakdown product of creatine. Used to measure kidney function
Creatinine (Cr) (biochemistry)
Desmitis of the planar tarsal ligament. Also the name given to a cosmetic blemish in the same area
Curb
Primary or secondary hyperactivity of the adrenal cortex. Aka PPID
Cushions syndrome (HAC)
Messenger molecules (e.g. Interferon, interleukin) used to signal and instruct cells of the immune system
Cytokines (biochemistry)
Examination of cells obtained by scraping or biopsy of an area
Cytology