Introduction To Veterinary Terminology Flashcards
Hippocrates
“Father of medicine”
Developed much of the medical language known today
Suffix usually describes
Usually describes a condition, action, or relationship
-IA
Pathological condition
-OUS
Characteristic of
-OSIS
Condition of, to review
-ID
Body or particle
-INE
Relating to
OR
chemical substance
-INE, -IAC, -IAN
Relating to
-ITE
Salt or ester of an acid with a name ending in -ous
OR
Segment of a body part
-ITIS
Inflammation
-ITIC
Characterized by inflammation
Might also derive from -ite
-GENIC
Producing, forming
-PNEA
Breathing
-ALGIA, -DYNIA
Pain
-EMIA
Blood condition
-CENTESIS
Puncture and aspiration
-ECTOMY
Surgical removal
-AC, -IAC, -AL, -EAL, -IAC, -AR, -ARY, -IC, -ICAL, -INE, -ULAR
Pertaining to
A-, AN-
No, not, without
ANA-
Up, apart
AB-
Away from
AD-
Toward, near
ANTE-
Before, forward
-IA
Condition, disease
-MALACIA
Softening
-MEGALY
Enlargement
-OMA
Tumor, mass
-OSIS
Abnormal condition
-PATHY
Disease
-PENIA
Deficiency
-PLEGIA
Paralysis
-SCLEROSIS
Hardening
-RRHAGE
Bursting forth
-RRHEA
Flow, discharge
-RRHEXIS
Breaking open
-GRAPHY
Process of recording
-LYSIS
Separation
-OPSY
View of, vision
-PLASTY
Surgical repair
-SCOPY
Visual examination
-STOMY
Opening
-TOMY
Incision, cutting
-ELLA
Small
-IATRIC
Medical treatment
-OID
Resembling
-PLAST
Cell, living substance
-PLASTY
Formation, plastic repair of
-VOROUS
Eating
ANTI-
Against
AUTO-
Self
BI-, DI-
Two
BRADY-
Deficient, under
CHLORO-
Green
CHROMO-
Color
CO-, COM- CON-
With, together
CYANO-
Blue
DE-
Down, lack of
DECI-
One-tenth
DIA-
Through, between, apart, across, completely
DYS-
Bad, painful
ERYHTRO-
Red
HEMI-
Half
HEXA-
Six
HYPER-
Excessive, above
HYPO-
Below, deficient
LEUKO-
White
MACRO-
Large
MAL-
Bad
MELANO-
Black
META-
Change, beyond
MICRO-
Small
MULTI-
Many
NEO-
New
PAN-
All
PENT-
Five
POLY-
Many, much
PSEUDO-
False
QUADR-
Four
SUB-
Less than, beneath
SYM-, SYN-
With, together
TACHY-
Fast
TRI-
Three
ULTRA-
Beyond
XANTH-
Yellow
DIA-
Through
DIS-
Apart, away from
EC-, ECTO-
Outside
ENDO-
Within, in, inner
EPI-
Above, upon
EX-
Out
EXTRA-
Outside of
IN-
In-into
INFRA-
Below, beneath
INTER-
Between
INTRA-
Within
PARA-
Near, alongside
PERI-
Surrounding
POST-
After, behind
PRE-
Before
PRO- PROS
Before, forward
RE-
Back, again
RETRO-
Behind, backward
SUB-
Beneath, less than
SUPRA-
Above, upper
TRANS-
Across, through
Organism
Individual animal or plant made up of cells
Cells
Basic structural unit of living organisms
Trichoid
Thread shaped cells
Plasma membrane
Cell’s outer boundary
Centrioles
Structures that function in cell reproduction
Cilia
Hairlike extensions on the surface of those cells capable of movement
Endoplasmic reticulum
Membrane network of “roads” and “channels” that wind through cytoplasm
Flagella
A sperm cell’s “tail”
Lysosomes
The cells “digestive system”
Mitochondria
“Power plants” that burn food in the presence of oxygen to make cell energy
Ribosomes
“Protein factories” that make proteins
Anabolism
The building metabolic phase; grows, maintains, and repairs body structures
Catabolism
The breaking-down metabolic phase; producing energy from food and oxygen
Chromosomes
Short, tightly coiled rods that contain genes
CYT/O-
A cell
Cytoplasm
A substance between the plasma membrane and nucleus of all cells
KARY/O-
The nucleus
Karyoplasm
The substance of the nucleus
Karyotype
A picture of chromosomes in the nucleus of a cell
Metabolism
Chemical processes by which cells obtain and use energy
Nucleus
The spheroid body writhing a cell that dictates protein production; controls transport, metabolism, growth, heredity
Organelles
Structures within cystoplasm
-PLASM
Formative, formed material
Tissue fluid
A saltwater solution that bathes every cell in the body
Tissue
Group or layer of similarly specialized cells that perform certain special functions together
Epithelial tissue
Skin, covers organs, lines body cavities, forms portions of some ducts and glands.
Protects the body and absorbs, secretes, and excretes substances
Muscle tissue
Voluntary or striated muscle tissue is controlled by conscious effort.
Involuntary or smooth muscle works without conscious effort and is controlled by the nervous system.
Cardiac muscle tissue is specialized involuntary muscle tissue found only in the heart
Connective tissue
Fat, cartilage, bone, blood vessels, and scar tissue.
Fibrous tissue with the chief function of connecting and supporting other body structures
Can be soft and rubbery or hard and rigid
Fascia is a connective tissue that forms a membrane to surround muscles and organs to separate and support them
Nerve tissue
Nerve tissue extends throughout the body to carry messages to and from the brain
Viscera
Larger internal organs, especially those of the abdominal cavity
Viscus
A single visceral organ such as the liver, intestine, pancreas, spleen, or gallbladder
Cranial cavity
Houses the brain and the pituitary gland
Spinal cavity
Houses the spinal cord
Thoracic cavity
Houses the lungs
Abdominal cavity
Houses the major digestive organs
Pelvic cavity
Houses the urinary and reproductive organs
Diaphragm
Muscle-membrane wall that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities
Pleural cavity
The space between the lungs and the pleura (a double membrane)
Peritoneum
Double membrane surrounding the abdominal cavity and its organs
Lymph system
Carries nutrients, wastes, hormones, and gases to and from body cells and provides protection and immunity from harmful organisms
Cardiovascular system
Circulates blood throughout the body to deliver nutrients to and remove wastes from organs
Endocrine system
Secretes hormones
Digestive system
Processes food for nutrient absorption
Integumentary system and sensory organs
Encases the body, regulates its temperature, and communicates touch and many other sensory functions
Musculoskeletal system
Skeletal system supports body structures
Muscular system carries out nerve commands to produce movement
Nervous system
Carries nerve impulses to and from the brain
Respiratory system
Conducts oxygen into, and carbon dioxide out of, the body
Reproductive system
Enables the organism to reproduce
Urinary system
Produces and excretes urine
ADEN/O-
Gland
ARTERI/O-
Artery
ARTHR/O-
Joint
BLEPHAR/O-
Eyelid
BRONCH/O-
Windpipe, throat
CARDI/O-
Heart
CEPHAL/O-
Head
CEREBR/O-, ENCEPHAL/O-
Brain
CHIR/O-
Hand
CHOL/O-
Bile
CHONDR/O-
Cartilage
COL/O-
Lower intestine
COLP/O-
Vagina
COR/O-
Pupil of eye
CORTIC/O-
Cortex
COST/O-
Rib
CYST/O-
Bladder, cyst
CYT/O-
Cell
DACRY/O-
Tears
DENT/I-, ODONT/O-
Tooth
DERMAT/O-
Skin
DEXTR/O-
Right side
ENTER/O-
Intestine
FIBR/O-
Fibrous
GASTR/O-
Stomach
GLOSS/O-
Tongue
GYNEC/O-
Woman
HEM/A-, HEM/O- , SANGUI-
Blood
HEPAT/O-
Liver
HIST/O-
Tissue
HYDR/O-
Water
HYSTER/O-, UTER/O-
Uterus, womb
ILI/O-
Flank, upper hip bone
IRID/O-
Iris of the eye
LABI/O-
Lip
LAPAR/O-
Flank, abdominal wall
LARYNG/O-
Windpipe, larynx
LIP/O-
Fat
MAST/O-
Breast
METR/O-
Uterus
MUSCUL/O-, MY/O
Muscle
MYEL/O-
Marrow, spinal cord
NEPHR/O-
Kidney
NEUR/O-
Nerve
OPTHALM/O- , OPT/O-
Eye
ORCHID/O-
Testes
OSS/I-, OSTE/O-
Bone
OV/I-
Egg
PHARYNG/O-
Pharynx
PHLEB/O-, VEN/O-
Vein
PLEUR/O-
Rib, side of body
PNEUM/O-
Lung, air
POD/O-
Foot
POLI/O-
Gray matter
PROCT/O-
Anus, rectum
PSYCH/O-
Mind
PULM/O-
Lung
PYEL/O-
Pelvis
REN/I-
Kidney
SACR/O-
Sacrum
SARC/O-
Flesh
SER/O-
Serum, blood
SOMAT/O-
Body
SPONDYL/O-
Vetebra
STOMAT/O-
Mouth
THORAC/O-
Chest
THROMB/O-
Blood clot
TRACHE/O-
Windpipe, trachea
TRICH/O-
Hair
URETHR/O-
Urethra
URIN/O-, UR/O-
Urine
VAS/O-
Vessel
VENTR/O-
Abdomen
Dorsal plane
Divides dorsal and ventral areas
Sagittal plane
Divides body into left and right parts
Transverse plane
Divides body into cranial and caudal parts
Anatomical position
Standing on all four legs, neck straight, head up, and facing forward
Antebrachial
Pertaining to the forearm, lower front leg
Appendicular
Pertaining to legs (appendages, extremities)
Articulation
The joint or juncture of two or more body parts
Axial
Pertaining too the head, neck and body
Brachial
Pertaining to the arm, upper front leg
Celiac
Pertaining to the abdomen
Coccygeal
Pertaining to the tail area
Crural
Pertaining to the leg
Cubital
Pertaining to the elbow or forearm
Epigastric
Pertaining to region above the stomach
Hypochondrium
The region below the cartilage of the ribs
Iliac
Pertaining to the hip bone
Inguinal
Pertaining to the groin area
Occipital
Pertaining to the back of the skull
Midsagittal
At the line dividing the body at its exact median into two near-mirror images; also called medial
Orbital
Pertaining to the bony cavity that contains the eyeball
Quadrants
One of four sections in the abdominopelvic area
Rostral
Toward the nose
Temporal
Pertaining to the side of the skull
Arthroscope
Instrument inserted into joint cavity to inspect contents
Cord clamp
Surgical instrument used to compress blood vessels or close off end of intestine
Cystoscope
Instrument used to view interior of bladder
Diathermy knife
Electrode-tipped blade used to coagulate tissue or small blood vessels
Float
Instrument used to file or rasp a horse’s premolar and molar teeth
Fluoroscope
Fluorescent screen on which x-rays may be viewed
Hypodermic
Needle and syringe used for injection under the skin
Lancet
Wide, two-edged, pointed surgical knife
Ligature
Nylon, wire, or catgut tied around a structure to prevent bleeding
Probe
Thin, flexible metal rod with blunt end, used to explore cavities and wounds
Resuscitator
Artificial respiration device that forces oxygen into lungs
Retractor
Instrument that draws aside edges of skin or tissue to expose operational site
Scope
Flexible fiber optic instrument for inspection of body interior
Snare (instrument)
Wire noose used for surgical removal of tumors or polyps by the roots, usually via endoscopy
endoscope
Slender, tubular instrument used for viewing and examining internal body parts
Sound (instrument)
Rodlike instrument with curved end, used to explore or dilate body structures
Sphygmograph
Instrument for measuring and recording arterial pulse
Spirograph
Instrument used to record tracing of respiratory movements
Brood
Offspring from one hatching of a bird’s eggs
Broody
Hen sitting on eggs
Buck
Male deer, goat, rabbit, or kangaroo
Bullock
Castrated bull or steer
Capon
Neutered rooster
Clutch
Group of eggs laid at one time by a bird
Cob
Male swan
Cockerel
Male chicken younger than one year
Colostrum
Protein and antibody-rich milk secreted by the mother after giving birth
Colt
Male horse before maturity
Congenital
Existing at birth but not hereditary
Cygnet
Young swan
Dam
Female parent
Drake
Male duck
Estrus
Time of reproductive cycle when the female is receptive to mating
Ewe
Female sheep of breeding age
Doe
Adult female goat or deer
Filly
Female horse under four years old
Fledgling
Young bird just learning to fly
Foal
Young or newborn horse
Gelding
Neutered male horse
Gilt
Young female pig
Gosling
Young goose
Gravid
Pregnant; containing developing young
Jenny
Female donkey
Kid
Young goat
Mare
Female horse four years or older
Monestrous
Having one estrus period per year
Nanny goat
Female goat
Nuptial plumage
Brilliant mating-season plumage exhibited by some birds, usually males
Oviparous
Animals whose eggs develop outside the mother’s body
Ovoviviparous
Animals whose eggs develop within the mother’s oviduct
Parturition
Process of giving birth
Pen
Female swan
Polyestrous
Having more than one estrous period per year
Pulley
Female chicken younger than one year
Queen
Mature female cat used for breeding
Ram
Sexually mature male sheep about 6 months of age or older
Shoat
Pig under one year old
Sire
Male of any quadruped, especially a horse
Sow
Female pig
Stag
Male deer
Steer
Neutered bull
Stud
Male horse used for breeding
Tom
Male cat or turkey
Viviparous
Giving birth to young developed in the uterus
Vixen
Female fox
Wether
Neutered ram or billy goat
Whelp
Giving birth to, said especially of dogs
Abrasion
Irritation of skin or mucous membrane
Antigen
Substance that stimulates the body’s immune system
Avulsion
Detachment or tearing away of a body part
Brucellosis
An infection caused by brucellosis bacteria
Cardiomyopathy
Chronic disorder of the heart
Colic
Acute abdominal pain; common in horses
Cystitis
Inflammation of the bladder
Diabetes insipidus
Diabetic condition caused by pituitary disorder
Diabetes mellitus
Diabetic condition caused by and inadequate supply of insulin
Dissociative agent
Anesthetic that chemically dissociates perceptions of pain
Dyspnea
Difficulty breathing
Endogenous
Originating from within the organism
Epiphysis
Part of a bone where growth occurs; often a breakage site in young animals
Exogenous
Originating from outside the organism
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)
Infectious inflammation of the peritoneum of cats peritonitis
Feline panleukopenia
Viral disease affecting white blood cells
Feline urolithiasis
Condition in cats; caused by mineral deposits in the urinary tract
Hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver
Hypertrophy
Exaggerated growth
Luxation
Dislocation
Lymphosarcoma
Malignant lymph tumor
Malignant catarrhal fever
Mucous membrane inflammation; common in cattle
Mastitis
Inflammation of the breast
Pneumonic pasteurellosis
Infection of the lungs; found in cattle
Pneumothorax
Air in the pleural cavity
Polydipsia
Excessive thirst (PD)
Polyphagia
Excessive appetite
Polyuria
Excessive urination (PU)
Pyelonephritis
Inflammation of the kidney and pelvis cause by a bacterial infection
Rabies
Acute infectious viral disease of the central nervous system
Reduction
Manipulating broken bones to correct position
Rupture
Tearing or breaking apart of a tissue
Specimen
Small amount of a body fluid used in laboratory tests
Stimulant
Drug that produces increased body functions
aa
Equal parts
AI
Artificial insemination
ca. Or circa
About or approximately
c.
Small calorie
C.
Large calorie (kilocalorie)
dr.
Dram(s)
EEG
Electroencephalogram
I.P.
Intraperitoneal(ly)
I.U.
International unit(s)
Lg.An.
Large animals
mA
Milliampere(s)
mAs
Milliampere-second(s)
ME
Metabolized energy
M.L.D.
Minimum lethal dose
LD50
Amount Lethal for 50% of test group
NRC
National research council
R
Roentgen (X-ray)
Sm.An.
Small animals
sp.
Species
u.
Unit(s)
U.S.D.A.
United States Department of Agriculture
U.S.P.
United States Pharmacopeia
µm
Micron (1/1000 millimeter)
