Key Terms Flashcards
abacterial
indicates that something has no presence of bacteria in it
abattoir
a location in which animals are slaughtered; a slaughter house
abaxial
Abaxial is a term that refers to something in particular being found away from the center of the body or the body part in question.
abdomen
The abdomen is the part of the body between the chest and the hips. It contains some of the most vital organs of them all, including the stomach and intestines, the bladder, the liver, and other vital organs. Abdominal is an adjective term that refers to something pertaining to the abdomen
abdominal breathing
Abdominal breathing is an irregular type of breathing that uses the muscles in the wall of the abdomen to move air into the lungs and pump it back out. Abdominal breathing is not normal and is normally the indicator of some type of respiratory condition or infection.
abdominal cavity
The space in the abdomen that holds the major digestive organs in an animal. Normally referred to as the area between the diaphragm and the pelvis. Also referred to as the peritoneal cavity.
abdominal effusion
Refers to a condition in which fluid collects around the vital organs located inside the abdomen. This is normally the side effect of a more serious condition, like liver disease or heart disease. Certain bacterial infections can also cause the build-up of such fluid, as can certain types of cancer. An animal experiencing abdominal effusion will likely have an extremely bloated midsection.
abdominal wall
The abdominal wall is a group of bones, muscles, and vital tissues that make up the wall around the organs in the abdomen. Inside these bones, muscles, and tissues is a cavity, and the cavity is what houses the vital organs found inside the abdomen. The abdominal wall is vital for protection of these organs.
abdominocentesis
Abdominocentesis is a procedure in which a needle is inserted into the abdomen of the animal to remove fluid. In most cases, abdominocentesis is used to make a diagnosis of some sort in a sick animal.
abduct
Abduct is the opposite of adduct. It refers to the movement of something away from the animal’s midsection
abiotrophy
Abiotrophy refers to the loss of use of an organ in particular. In most cases, this is a progressive condition and is inheritable. Abiotrophy may occur in an organ, a tissue, or even the nervous system.
ablactate
To take off of the teat or to stop from nursing; to wean an animal off of its mother’s milk.
ablate
To ablate is to complete take something out of something else. Ablation (n.) refers to removal of a particular body part by cutting it out.
abomasopexy
The surgical procedure of attaching the fourth stomach (the abomasums) compartment to the abdominal wall.
abomasums
In animals, the fourth of several stomach compartments. Also referred to as the true or real stomach.
aboral
Used to describe a direction; away from or outside an animal’s mouth.
abort
To end the pregnancy early; in animals, usually used to describe similar circumstances as a ‘miscarriage’ in humans. An abortion (n.) is used to describe the ending of a pregnancy whether purposeful or accidental
abortive
Fails to work properly; unfruitful. In veterinary medicine, used to describe an animal that is barren or unable to successfully reproduce.
abrasion
An injury that has occurred in which one or more of the topmost layers of the skin are scraped away. Also known as a scrape
abscess
A localized infection, usually a lesion filled with pus. Can be large or small in size.
absolute age
In veterinary medicine, refers to an animal’s actual age in calendar years rather than the age pertaining to their development. ex: absolute age (actual age) vs. age in ‘dog years.
absorption
In veterinary medicine, the joining of already digested nutrients with the circulatory system. Absorption is how an animal’s body makes use of nutrients from food.
absorption rate
The rate at which digested nutrients enters the circulatory system.
abundance
The number of animals per unit area. ex: five horses per square acre.
acariasis
Refers to the condition of being overrun with parasites, such as ticks or mites.
acaricide
Any substance known to kill certain parasites, including ticks and mites. May be found in the form of a paste, a liquid, or a powder.
acarid
Refers to any tick or mite belonging to the order Acarina or the family Acaridae.
acarine
A mite or a tick.
acclimate
To become accustomed to new actions, surroundings, environment, or companions. Ex: a dog may need to acclimate himself to a new home upon adoption from a shelter.
acclimatization
The act of helping an animal to adjust to something or some place foreign to them.
accommodation
A process, that of adjusting the eye to see objects at a variety of distances.
accredited herd
Accredited herd is a term that is used to refer to dairy cattle that has been tested and received the certification necessary to be declared free of tuberculosis as described by the United States Department of Agriculture. To be considered part of the accredited herd, two tests given must be passed.
accuracy of selection
Accuracy of selection refers to the difference between what an animal’s breeding value was estimated to be and its actual breeding value.
acetabulum
The socket that holds the head of the femur, found in the pelvis of a given animal.
acetic acid
Chemically described as CH3COOH. In the veterinary context, acetic acid is used in the fermentation of lactic acid and a necessary component of taste in certain dairy products.
acetic bacteria
The bacteria that is involved with turning alcohol into acetic acid.
acetic fermentation
Acetic fermentation is the process of turning ethyl alcohol into acetic acid with the use of fermenting bacteria.
acetone
Chemically described as CH3COCH3, created from the fermentation of sugar and starch. Acetone can be found in the urine of a diabetic animal, the breath of certain lactating animals, and in blood. When found in lactating animals, acetone indicates a deficiency, usually of carbohydrates resulting from an inability to properly oxidize fat in feed.
acetonemia
Acetonemia is a disease. It involves the presence of large amounts of acetone in the blood. This condition is also referred to as: milk fever, acidosis, acetenouria, pregnancy disease (in ewes).
achalasia
Refers to difficulty or lack of ability to release the smooth muscle in the digestive system, found in the gastrointestinal tract.
achondroplasia
Refers to the changes undergone by the skeletal system during development of the fetus; has the ability to be inherited genetically.
acid
Any substance or solution with a total pH of less than 7; a term used to described low pH or an increase in the number of hydrogen ions in a given substance.
acid-fast
Resists the effects of acids; has less of a chance of losing color due to acidic properties