AEST Animal Sciences

Dorsal

Refers to the back or upper side of an animal.

Caudal

Toward or near the tail end of the body.

Ventral

Refers to the belly or underside of the body.

Cranial

Toward or near the head of the body.

Proximal

Nearest to the point of attachment or origin.

Distal

Farthest from the point of attachment or origin.

Epidermis

The outermost layer of skin cells.

Dermis

The layer of skin beneath the epidermis containing hair follicles and glands.

Nares

External openings of the nose leading to the nasal cavity.

Integumentary

Pertaining to the skin and its appendages.

Mammary Papilla

The nipple or teat through which milk is secreted.

Vibrissae

Long, stiff hairs (whiskers) on the face or nostrils of an animal.

Viruses

Microscopic pathogens that require a host cell to replicate.

Bacteria

Single-celled microorganisms that can be beneficial or pathogenic.

Parasites

Organisms that live on or in a host, deriving nutrients at the host’s expense.

Fungi

Spore-producing organisms feeding on organic matter, including molds and yeasts.

Protozoa

Single-celled eukaryotes that can be free-living or parasitic.

Acidosis

A condition characterized by excessive acidity in the body fluids.

Blackleg

An acute, highly fatal disease of cattle and sheep caused by Clostridium chauvoei.

Bloat

A condition in ruminants where gas accumulates in the rumen.

Coccidiosis

A parasitic disease of the intestinal tract caused by coccidian protozoa.

Mange

A skin disease caused by parasitic mites, leading to itching and hair loss.

Milk Fever

A metabolic disorder in dairy cows caused by low blood calcium levels.

White Muscle Disease

A degenerative muscle disease in livestock caused by selenium or vitamin E deficiency.

Cow Gestation

Approximately 283 days.

Mare Gestation

Approximately 336 days.

Sow Gestation

Approximately 114 days.

Ewe Gestation

Approximately 147 days.

Goat Gestation

Approximately 150 days.

Chicken Incubation

Approximately 21 days.

Gelding

A castrated male horse.

Whether

A castrated male sheep or goat.

Barrow

A castrated male pig.

Gilt

A young female pig that has not farrowed.

Boar

An uncastrated male pig.

Sow

An adult female pig that has farrowed.

Farrowing

The process of a sow giving birth.

Lamb

A young sheep.

Lambing

The process of a ewe giving birth.

Ram

An uncastrated male sheep.

Ewe

An adult female sheep.

Doe

An adult female goat.

Buck

An uncastrated male goat.

Kid

A young goat. Yearling

Colt

A young uncastrated male horse.

Stallion

An adult uncastrated male horse.

Filly

A young female horse.

Mare

An adult female horse.

Foaling

The process of a mare giving birth.

Foal

A young horse.

Calf

A young bovine animal.

Bull

An uncastrated male bovine.

Steer

A castrated male bovine.

Heifer

A young female bovine that has not calved.

Cow

An adult female bovine that has calved.

Calving

The process of a cow giving birth.

Rumen

The largest stomach compartment in ruminants where fermentation occurs.

Reticulum

The second stomach compartment in ruminants, involved in particle separation.

Omasum

The third stomach compartment in ruminants, absorbing water and nutrients.

Abomasum

The fourth stomach compartment in ruminants, functioning similarly to a monogastric stomach.

Monogastric

Animals with a single-chambered stomach.

Cecum

A pouch connected to the junction of the small and large intestines.

Large Intestine

The part of the intestine where water is absorbed and feces are formed.

Esophagus

The muscular tube connecting the throat to the stomach.

Rectum

The final section of the large intestine, terminating at the anus.

Small Intestine

The part of the intestine where most digestion and absorption of nutrients occur.

Gallbladder

A small organ that stores bile produced by the liver.

Liver

A vital organ that processes nutrients and detoxifies substances.