Vet Tech Terminology Flashcards
Cost/o
Rib
Hem/o
Blood
Intra-
Within
Endocrine gland
Glands without ducts
Inter-
Between
My/o
Muscle
Biopsy
Removal and examination of tissues for diagnosis
Enter/o
Small intestine
Catabolism
The breaking-down metabolic phase; producing energy from food and oxygen
Onc/o
Tumor
Cutaneous
The skin
Hypo-
Below; deficient
Ribosomes
“Protein factories” that make proteins
Mediastinum
Region between the lungs
Convulsion
Uncontrolled, violent muscle contraction
Semi-lunar valves
Valves between the ventricles and the major arteries in the heart
Phleb/o
Vein
Chromosomes
Short, tightly coiled rods that contain genes
Golgi bodies
Sacs that make and transport carbohydrate compounds
Ur/o
Urine
Vena cava
Largest vein in the animal body
Arterioles
Small arteries
Somat/o
Body
Antibiotic
Drug used to fight disease that kills or limits the growth of bacteria
Deciduous
The first set of teeth
Aorta
Largest artery in the animal body
Connective tissue
Tissue specializing in connection and support of body parts
Lymph nodes
Structures that filter lymph and store lymphocytes in the animal body
Plasma (cell) membrane
The outside boundary of the cell
Urogenital
The urinary and reproductive systems
Organ systems
Groups of organs working together with similar structure and function
Hemat/o
Blood
Hist/o
Tissue
Peritoneum
Inner membrane lining the abdomen
Cephal/o
Head
Veins
Blood vessels taking blood towards the heart
Catheterization
Introduction of a catheter into a body part
Apnea
Periodic cessation of breathing
Canine parvovirus
Fatal viral disease of dogs; marked by severe diarrhea
-algia
Pain
Vaccine
Preparation of a pathogen to stimulate an immune response in an animal
Tissue fluid
Salt water solution that bathes every cell in the body
Arteries
Blood vessels taking blood away from the heart
Venules
Small veins
Trache/o
Windpipe: trachea
Karyotype
Picture of chromosomes in the nucleus of a cell
Feline distemper
Fatal viral disease of cats; marked by severe diarrhea
Thoracic
The thorax
Cilia
Movable hairlike extensions of the surface of certain cells
Cardiac
The heart
Mitochondria
“Power plants” that burn food in the presence of oxygen to make cell energy
Parasite
Organism living on or in another organism
Polydipsia
Excessive thirst
Capillaries
Smallest blood vessels; where nutrient and waste products are exchanged
Orchid/o
Testes
Muscle tissue
Tissue with the power to contract and thus produce movement
Thorac/o
Chest
Nephr/o
Kidney
-otomy
Incision; cutting
Polyuria
Excessive urination
Psych/o
Mind
Pathology
Study of unhealthy organs and tissues
Genes
Regions of DNA organized into the body’s “blueprint”
Col/o
Large intestine
-ostomy
Opening
Brady-
Deficient; under
-centesis
Puncture and aspiration
Anesthetic
Relating to anesthesia; an agent that causes a loss of sensation and/or a loss of consciousness
Sacral
The large bone at the dorsal part of the pelvis between the hip bones
-emia
Blood condition
Leukemia
Increase in the number of abnormal white blood cells
Nervous tissue
Tissue that carries nerve impulses
Radiograph
X-ray image
Atrophy
Decrease in size of an organ, tissue, or cell
Metabolism
The chemical processes by which cells obtain and use energy
Antibody
Substance formed by the body to counteract antigens
Ex-
Out
Prolapse
Displacement of a body organ
RNA
Ribonucleic acid; needed for production of protein within cells
Anemia
Red blood cell deficiency
Neo-
New
Zoonosis
Disease of animals that can be transmitted to humans
Flagellum
A sperm cells “tail” (plural: flagella)
Cytoplasm
Substance contained within the cell membrane, which includes the nucleus and organelles
Dermat/o
Skin
Cellular organelles
Structures within cytoplasm
Endo-
Within; in; inner
Epi-
Above, upon
Atria
Chambers of the heart where major veins deposit their blood
Lumbar
The lower back
Arteri/o
Artery
Ab-
Away from
Mono-
One; single
Aseptic technique
Procedure for preventing infection
Surgery
Operative or manual procedure to correct a health condition
Hepat/o
Liver
Pseudo
False
Ecto-
Outside
Lip/o
Fat
Ot/o
Ear
Exocrine gland
Gland with ducts
Organs
Groups of tissues working together with similar structure and function
Macro-
Large
Lysosomes
The cells digestive system
Cervical
The neck or cervix
Palpate
Examine by touch
Plum/o
Lung
Immun/o
Protected
Luxation
Dislocation (usually of bones)
Oste/o
Bone
-megaly
Enlargement
Cystitis
Inflammation of the bladder
Nucleus
Cellular structure that contains the chromosomes
Cyst/o
Urinary bladder
Endoplasmic reticulum
Membrane network of tubules, or “channels”, that wind through cytoplasm
Ven/o
Vein
Cyano-
Bluish discoloration of skin and mucosa
-penia
Deficiency
Multi-
Many
Ren/i
Kidney
Ventricles
Chambers of the heart that pump blood out to major arteries
Mastitis
Inflammation of the mammary glands
Digital
Toes
Micro-
Small
A-V valves
Valves between the atria and the ventricles in the heart
Cerebr/o
Brain
Rabies
Acute infectious viral disease of the central nervous system
Sub-
Less than; beneath
Epithelial tissue
Tissue that protects, lines, or invests body organs
Hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver
-pathy
Disease
Peri-
Surrounding
Viscera
Internal organs of the abdominal and thoracic cavities
-itis
Inflammation
Hemi-
Red
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid; the molecule that is made up of genes
Path/o
Disease
Trans-
Across; through
-oma
Tumor; mass
Hyper-
Excessive; above
Centrioles
Structure that function in cell reproduction
Dyspnea
Difficulty breathing
Thromb/o
Blood clot; coagulation
Chondr/o
Cartilage
-osis
Abnormal condition
Hematocrit
Laboratory procedure to determine the percentage of red blood cells in the blood
Coccygeal
The tail area
Muscul/o
Muscle
Nephr/o
Kidney
-ectomy
Surgical removal
Pharmac/o
Drug; medicine
Pre-
Before
Cardi/o
Heart
Gastr/o
Stomach
Canine distemper
Viral disease of dogs; marked by fever and respiratory problems
Post-
After; behind
Polyphagia
Excessive appetite
Neur/o
Nerves
Poly-
Many; much
Arthritis
Joint inflammation
Anabolism
The building metabolic phase; grows, maintains, and repairs body structures
Pneum/o
Lung; air
Pleura
Inner membrane lining of the thorax
Supra-
Above; upper
Cortic/o
Cortex
Leuko-
White
Ad-
Toward; near
Cyt/o
Cell
Biology
The study of life and life processes
Prefix
A unit of meaning attached to the front of a word
Root
The core or foundation of the words meaning
Combining vowel
A vowel (most often o) placed between two roots, or between a root and a suffix, that begins with a consonant, to help make the newly combined word easier to pronounce
Combining form
The root and combining vowel together, as in NORM/O
Suffix
A unit of meaning attached to the end of the word
Affix
A unit of meaning attached to the prefix or suffix that modified the root in some way
Organism
An individual animal or plant
Ovum
Egg
Epithelial
Related to the skin
Biology
The study of living organisms and life processes
Plasma membrane
A cells outer body
Diffusion
Movement of substances across a membrane
Osmosis
Diffusion of water across cell membranes
Centrioles
Structures that function in cell reproduction
Cilia
Hairlike extensions on the surface of those cells capable of movement
Endoplasmic reticulum
A membrane network of “roads” and “channels” that wind through cytoplasm
Flagella
Sperm cells mobile tails
Golgi bodies
Sacs that make and transport carbohydrate compounds
Lysosomes
The cells digestive system
Mitochondria
Power plants that burn food in the pretense of oxygen to make energy
Ribosomes
Structures 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
Cytoplasm
A substance between the plasma membrane and the cell nucleus
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid; the chemical of which genes are made
Genes
Regions of DNA organized into the body’s blueprint
Karyoplasm
The substance of a nucleus
Karyotype
Picture of chromosomes in the nucleus of a cell
Metabolism
The chemical process by which cells obtain and use energy
Nucleus
Spheroid body within a cell that dictates protein production; controls transport, metabolism, growth, and heredity
Organelles
Structures within cytoplasm
RNA
Ribonucleic acid, needed for production of protein within cells
Tissue fluid
A salt water solution that battles every cell in the body
Striated
Streaked or scratched
Organ
An independent body part that performs a specific function or functions
Visceral organ
The liver, stomach, intestine, pancreas, spleen or gallbladder
Cranial cavity
Houses the brain and pituitary gland
Spinal cavity
Houses the spinal cord
Abdominal cavity
Houses the major digestive organs
Thoracic cavity
Houses the kings
Pelvic cavity
Houses the urinate and reproductive organs
Dorsal
Toward the back
Ventral
Toward the lower surface; a direction toward the belly
Body system
A group of organs functioning together for a common purpose
Lymph system
Responsible for carrying nutrients, wastes, hormones, and gases to and from body cells for providing protection and immunity from harmful organisms
Cardiovascular system
Circulates blood
Endocrine system
Secretes hormones
Digestive system
Processes food
Integumentary system
Skin, hair, claws, and hooves
Musculoskeletal system
The skeletal system supports body structures and the muscular system carries out nerve commands
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 an organism to reproduce itself
Urinary system
Produces and excretes urine
Inguinal
Pertaining to the groin
Recumbent
Lying down
Lateral recumbency
Lying on either the left or right side
Sternal recumbency
Lying on the belly
Dorsal recumbency
Lying on the back, as if ready for surgery
Cranial-caudal
Cranial means “toward the head.” Caudal means “toward the tail.”
Dorsal-Ventral
Dorsal refers to the dorsal or back of the animal, ventral refers to the ventrum or belly of the animal
Left-right
Refers to the animals left or right side
Palmar-Plantar
Palmar refers to the bottom of the animals front foot. Plantar refers to the bottom of the animals hind foot
Medial-lateral
Medial means “toward the midline of the body” while lateral means “away from the midline of the body”
Proximal-Distal
Refers to the closeness or distance of a part to its point of origin
Superficial-deep
Refers to the distance from the surface of the body. For example, a superficial wound is close to the surface; a deep wound extends far below the surface.
Dorsal Plane
Divides the body into dorsal (top) and ventral (bottom) areas
Sagittal Plane
Divides the body into left and right parts
Midsagittal Plane
Goes through the exact median of the body, dividing it into two near-mirror images
Transverse Plane
A plane that divides the body horizontally into superior and inferior parts; also referred to as the cross-sectional plane
Armamentarium
All equipment used in the practice of medicine
Abrasion
Irritation of the skin or mucous membrane
Anemia
Red blood cell deficiency
Anesthetic
Relating to anesthesia; an anesthetic agent, causing a loss of feeling
Antibiotic
A substance that destroys disease-causing bacteria
Antibody
A substance formed by the body to counteract antigens
Anticoagulant
A substance that hinders blood clotting
Antigen
A substance that stimulates the body’s immune system
Antiseptic
Clean; preventing the frown of microorganisms
Antivenin
A substance that counteracts the toxicity of venom
Apnea
Periodic cessation of breathing
Arthritis
Joint inflammation
Artificial respiration
Rhythmic forcing of air into lungs that have stopped breathing
Aseptic technique
A procedure for preventing infection
Atrophic rhinitis
The wasting away of mucous membranes or glands
Avulsion
Detachment or tearing away of a body part
Bacteria
Microscopic organisms, often parasitic and disease-causing
Biopsy
Removal and examination of tissues for diagnosis
Brucellosis
An infection caused by Bruccela bacteria
Canine distemper
A viral disease of dogs, marked by fever and respiratory problems
Canine parvovirus
A virus that causes a deadly disease in dogs
Cardiomyopathy
A chronic disorder of the heart, common in dogs
Catheterization
The introduction of a catheter into a body part
Colic
An acute abdominal pain that’s common in horses
Coagulant
An agent that produces blood clotting
Coma
A state of deep unconsciousness
Compress
To press a folded cloth or pad against a body part
Constipation
Infrequent, difficult passage of dry feces
Convulsion
Uncontrolled, violent muscle contraction
Cortisone
Anti-inflammatory hormone
Cropping
Cosmetic surgical removal of a large portion of a dogs ear
Cystitis
Inflammation of the bladder
Diabetes insidious
A diabetic condition caused by pituitary disorder
Diabetes Mellitus
A diabetic condition caused by an inadequate supply of insulin
Disinfectant
An agent that destroys infections organisms on surfaces
Dissociative agent
An anesthetic that chemically dissociates (separates out) perceptions of pain
Docking
The cosmetic surgical removal of a portion of a dogs tail
Dyspnea
Difficult breathing
Emesis
Regurgitation (vomiting)
Endotracheal Intubation
The placement of a tube into the windpipe
Enema
An injection of liquid through the anus to empty the intestine
Endogenous
Originating from within the organism
Enzootic pneumonia
Infection of the lungs found in specific kinds of animals
Epiphysis
The part of bone where growth occurs; often a breakage site in young animals
Euthanasia
The merciful, painless killing of an injured or sick animal
Exogenous
Originating from outside the organism
External
Occurring on the outside
Feline Paneleukopenia
A viral disease of cats similar to parvovirus in dogs
Feline infectious peritonitis
Often deadly infectious disease of young cats
Feline urolithiasis
A condition in cats caused by mineral deposits in the urinary tract
Fracture
A break or rupture in bone
Gastroenteritis
Inflammation of the membrane lining the stomach and intestines
Gastroenteritis
Inflammation of the membrane lining the stomach and then intestines
Halitosis
Bad breath
Heimlich maneuver
A procedure for removing obstruction from the windpipe of a choking victim
Hematocrit
A laboratory procedure that determines the percentage of red blood cells in an animals blood
Hemophilia
A condition of delayed blood clotting
Hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver
Herpes virus
An inflammatory virus that reproduces in the cell nucleus
Hyperthyroidism
Excessive function of the thyroid gland
Hypertrophy
Exaggerated growth
Hypnotic
Causing a trance like state without drugs, or a drug that causes a hypnotic state
Hypothyroidism
Deficient activity of the thyroid gland
Immunity
An ability to resist disease
Incision
A cut made into the body
Inhalant
Medication that’s breathed in
Internal
Occurring on the inside
Laceration
A wound produced by tearing, as opposed to cutting, body tissue
Leptospirosis
Zoonotic infectious disease, part of most canine vaccination schedules
Lethargic
Sluggish
Leukemia
A disease of the white blood cells
Luxation
Dislocation
Lymphosarcoma
A malignant lymph tumor that tends to spread freely; common in cattle
Mastitis
Inflammation of the breast
Neutralize
To counteract the effect of
Palpate
To examine by touch
Parainfluenza
A viral infection of the respiratory tract for which dogs are routinely vaccinated
Parasite
An organism living in or on another organism
Pathology
The structural and functional signs of disease, or a study of its essential nature
Pneumothorax
Air in the pleural cavity
Polydipsia
Excessive thirst
Polyphagia
Excessive appetite
Polyuria
Excessive urination
Prolapse
The slipping of a body part from its usual position
Puncture
Pierce with a pointed object; also, a wound made with a pointed object
Pyelonephritis
Inflammation of the kidney and renal pelvis caused by bacterial infection
Rabies
An acute infectious viral disease of the central nervous system
Radiograph
An x-ray photograph
Radiology
The use of radiant energy like x-rays in diagnosis and treatment
Reduction
The returning of broken bones to correct position
Rupture
The tearing or breaking apart of a tissue
Sedative
A tranquilizing drug
Serology
Tests using blood serum
Smear
Material spread on a slide for a microscopic examination
Specimen
A small amount of body fluid used in laboratory tests
Sterile
Free from microorganisms
Stimulant
A drug that produces increased body function
Surgery
An operative or manual procedure to correct a health condition
Symptom
An indication of disease
Tetanus
An acute infectious disease usually introduced through a wound
Toxic
Poisonous
Toxoplasmosis
A contagious disease of all species caused by toxoplasma gondii
Vaccine
An artificial immunization agent
Zoonosis
A disease of animals that can be transmitted to humans
