Anesthetic: agent that produces anesthesia, thus abolishing pain.
Anestrus: period of sexual inactivity between two estrous periods.
Anomaly: marked deviation from normal.
Anorexia: lack of appetite.
Anterior: pertaining to the front of the body.
Anti-inflammatory: agent that suppresses inflammation.
Antipruritic: agent that prevents itchiness.
Antipyretic: agent that reduces fever.
Antitussive: agent that combats coughing.
Anus: terminal opening or orifice of the alimentary canal (digestive tract).
Aorta: main trunk of the arterial system, originating from the left side of the heart.
Arrythmia: variation from normal heart rhythm.
Artery: vessels through which blood flows away from the heart to various parts of the body.
Arthritis: Inflammation of a joint; osteoarthritis.
Aspirate: to remove fluid or gas from a cavity by suction.
Asthma: a condition in which the bronchi (airways) narrow, causing wheezing and
respiratory difficulty.
Asymptomatic: showing no signs of disease.
Atrophy: wasting away of a part. Eg: muscle atrophy.
Auditory: pertaining to hearing.
Autoclave: machine that sterilizes medical instruments and materials by use of super-heated steam under pressure.
Autopsy: Examination of a body after death; see also necropsy.
Avian: pertaining to birds.
B
Bacteria: a one-celled microorganism that ma
y or may not cause disease.
Barium: a liquid that is radiopaque (cannot be penetrated by x-rays).
Benign: not malignant; with a favorable prognosis.
Bilateral: occurring on two sides.
Bile: fluid that aids in digestion; produced in the liver and stored in the gall bladder.
Biopsy: removal of a small amount of tissue from the body for examination, usually microscopic.
Bitch: a female dog.
Bladder: a sac serving as a receptacle for a secretion or excretion. Used alone, it refers to the urinary bladder.
Blood: fluid composed of water, cells, clotting factors and other chemicals, that circulates
through arteries and veins to supply nutrients and remove wastes from body tissues.
Bronchitis: inflammation of the bronchi.
Bronchus: a large air passage in the lungs. Pleural: bronchi.
Cancer: a malignant tumor.
Canine: pertaining to dogs.
Canine tooth: large fang tooth in carnivores.
Capillary: tiny blood vessels.
Carcinoma: an invasive malignant tumor arising from epithelial tissues.
Cardiac: pertaining to the heart.
Cardiopathy: any disease of the heart.
Cartilage: a specialized, fibrous connective tissue that provides a model in which most of the bones develop..
Castrate: surgical neutering of the male which involves the removal of both testicles.
Cataract: opacity of the lens of the eye.
Catheter: a tubular instrument used to withdraw fluid from the body (such as urine), or to administer fluids into the body (such as into a vein).
Centesis: tapping a body cavity or organ using a needle, aspirator or trochar.
Cholangiohepatitis: inflammtion of the gall bladder and liver.
Chronic: persisting over a long period of time.
Clot: a semi-solid mass, as of blood cells.
Coagulation: clot formation.
Colitis: inflammation of the colon.
Conjunctiva: membrane that lines the inner eyelids and covers the exposed surface of the eyeball.
Conjunctivitis: inflammation of the conjunctiva.
Contraindication: a circumstance that renders a particular treatment inappropriate or undesirable.
Convulsion: violent, involuntary contraction of muscles, often from a neurological disorder; seizure.
Cornea: the transparent anterior portion of the eye.
Cortisone: a major hormone produced by the adrenal glands.
Cranium: the skull.
Cryptorchid: a condition in which one or both testicles have not descended into the scrotum.
C-section: caesarian section; the surgical delivery of a term fetus.
Cyanosis: bluish discoloration of the mucous membranes and skin caused by poor tissue oxygenation.
Cytology: study of cells.
Ulcer: a local defect or excavation of the surface of a organ.
Umbilicus: the navel; belly button.
Unilateral: affecting only one side.
Ureter: tubular structure that conveys urine from each kidney to the urinary bladder.
Urethra: tube that conveys urine from the urinary bladder to the exterior of the body.
Urinalysis: laboratory analysis of urine.
Urination: passage or excretion of urine.
Urine: fluid formed in the kidneys, passed to the bladder for storage, and discharged through the urethra.
Urticaria: hives; an allergic condition of the skin characterized by large welts which itch.
Uterus: a hollow muscular organ found in female mammals, in which the fertilized ovum develops.
V
Vaccine: an agent, that when introduced into the body, stimulates an immune response against certain microorganisms.
Vagina: the canal in females extending from the vulva to the cervix.
Vein: vessel through which blood returns from organs and body parts to the heart.
Venipuncture: puncture of a vein with a needle; blood draw.
Ventral: pertaining to the belly or underside of a quadruped.
Ventricle: a chamber of the heart.
Vertebrate: any animal with a spinal column.
Veterinarian: doctor of veterinary medicine; really cool person.
Veterinary Technician: An animal nurse; also a really cool person.
Virus: a tiny infectious agent that replicates only inside a living cell, and lacks the ability for independent metabolism.
Viscera: any large organs located within the thoracic or abdominal cavities or pelvic canal.
Vomit: to cast up material from the stomach.
Vulva: external genitalia of females.
W
Wean: to discontinue nursing or suckling a young animal.
Whelp: the process of giving birth in dogs.
Wood's light: an ultraviolet light, often used to detect ringworm on the skin of animals.
Wound: any disruption of the continuity of a normal structure, as from an incision or injury.
X
X-rays: light rays of high amplitude which are passed by an electric generator through a glass vacuum tube (the x-ray tube). Such rays have special penetrative powers through body tissues.
Z
Zoonosis: any disease of animals that can be transmitted to people under natural conditions.