Vet Terms - Chapter 2

Ventral

refers to the belly of underside of a body or body part

Dorsal

refers to the back

Cranial

means towards the head

Caudal

means towards the tail

Anterior

means front of the body

Posterior

means rear of the body

Rostral

means nose end of the head

Cephalic

means pertaining to the head

Medial

means towards the midline

Lateral

means away from the midline

Superior

means uppermost, above, or toward the head

Inferior

means the lowermost, below, or toward the tail

Proximal

means nearest the midline or nearest to the beginning of a structure

Distal

means farthest from the midline or farthest from the beginning of a structure

Superficial

means near the surface, also called external

Deep

means away from the surface, also called internal

Palmar

means the caudal surface of the manus (front paw) including the carpus (from the antebrachial joint distally)

Plantar

means the caudal surface of the pes (rear paw) including the tarsus (from the tibiotarsal joint distally)

Midsagittal Plane

divides the body into equal right and left halves; also called the median plane and the midline

Sagittal Plane

divides the body into unequal right and left parts

Dorsal Plane

divides the body into dorsal and ventral parts; also called frontal or coronal

Transverse Plane

divides the body into cranial and caudal parts; also called horizontal oe cross-sectional

Dental Acrade

describes how teeth are arranged in the oral cavity

Lingual Surface

the aspect of the tooth that faces the tongue

Palatal Surface

the tooth surface of the maxilla that faces the tongue

Buccal Surface; Vestibular Surface

the aspect of the tooth that faces the cheek.

Occlusal Surfaces

the aspects of the teeth that meet when the animal chews

Libial Surface

the tooth surface facing the lips

Contact Surfaces

the aspects of the tooth that touch other teeth; Can be Mesial or Distal

Cavity

a hole or hallow space in the body that contains and protects internal organs

Cranial Cavity

hollow space that contains the brain in the skull

Spinal Cavity

the hollow space that contains the spinal cord within the spinal column

Thoracic Cavity; Chest Cavity

the hollow space that contains the heart and lungs within the ribs between the neck and diaphragm

Abdominal cavity

the hallow space that contains the major organs of digestion located between the diaphragm and pelvic cavity

Peritoneal Cavity

the hallow space within the abdominal cavity between the parietal peritoneum and the visceral peritoneum

Pelvic Cavity

the hallow space that contains the reproductive and some excretory systems’ organs bounded by the pelvic bones

Abdomen

the portion of the body between the thorax and hte pelvis contianing the abdominal cavity

Thorax

the chest region located between the neck and the diaphragm

Groin; Inguinal Area

the caudal region of the abdomen adjacent to the thigh

Membranes

thin layers of tissue that cover a surface, line a cavity, or divide a space or an organ

Peritoneum

the membrane lining the walls of the abdominal and pelvic cavities and it covers some organs in the area

Parietal Peritoneum

the outer layer of the peritoneum that lines the abdominal and pelvis cavities

Visceral Peritoneum

the inner layer of the peritoneum that surrounds the abdominal organs

Peritonitis

inflammation of the peritoneum

Umbilicus; Navel

the pit in the abdominal wall marking the point where the umbilical cord entered the fetus

Mesentery

the layer of the peritoneum the suspends parts of the intestine in the abdominal cavity

Retroperitoneal

superficial to the peritoneum

Recumbent

laying down

Dorsal Recumbency

laying on the back

Ventral Recumbency/Sternal Recumbency

laying on the belly

Left Lateral Recumbency

laying on the left side

Right Lateral Recumbency

laying on the right side

Prone

laying in ventral or sternal recumbency

Supine

laying in dorsal recumbency

Cytology

the study of cells

Protoplasm

the cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus

Cell Membrane

the structure lining the cell that protects the cell’s contents and regulates what goes in and out of the cell

Cytoplasm

the gelatinous material located in the cell membrane that is not part of the nucleus

Nucleus

the structure in the cell that contains nucleoplasm, chromosomes, and the surrounding membrane

Nucleoplasm

the material in the nucleus

Chromosomes

the structures in the nucleus composed of DNA that transmits genetic information

Genetic Disorder

any inherited disease or condition caused by defective genes

Congenital

denotes something that is present at birth

Anomaly

a deviation from what is regarded as normal

Adduction

movement toward the midline

Abduction

movement away from the midline

Flexion

closure of a joint angle

Extension

straightening of a joint angle or and increase in angle between two bones

Hyperflexion

joint is flexed too far; palmar or plantar movement of the joint angles

Hyperextension

joint is extended too far; dorsal movement of the joins beyond the reference angle

Supination

the act of rotating the limb or body part so that the palmar surface is turned upward

Pronation

the act of rotating the limb or body so that the palmar surface is turned downward

Rotation

another term of movement that means circular movement around an axis

Tissue

a group of specialized cells that is similat in structure and function

histology

the study of structure, composition, and function of tissue

Epithelial tissue; Epithelium

covers internal and external body surfaces and is made up of tightly packed calls in a variety of arrangements

Endothelium

the cellular covering that forms the lining of internal organs, including blood vessels

Mesothelium

the cellular covering that forms the lining od serous membranes such as the peritoneum

Connective Tissue

adds support and structure to the body by holding the organs in place and binding body parts together

Adipose Tissue

fat

Muscle Tissue

contains cell material with the specialized ability to contract and relax

Nervous Tissue

contains cells with the specialized ability to react to stimuli and conduct electrical impulses

Anaplasia

a change in the srtucture of cells and their orientation to each other

Aplasia

lack of development of an organ or a tissue or a cell

Dysplasia

abnormal growth or development of an organ or a tissue or a cell

Hyperplasia

an abnormal increase in the number of normal cells in normal arrangement in an organ or a tissue

Hypoplasia

incomplete or less than normal development of an organ or a tissue or a cell

Neoplasia

any abnormal new growth of tissue in which multiplication of cells is uncontrolled, more rapid than normal, and progressive

Tumor

distinct mass of tissue

Benign

not recurring

Malignant

tending to spread and be life threatening

Atrophy

decrease in size or complete wasting of an organ or tissue or cell

Dystrophy

defective frowth in the size of an organ or tissue or cell

Hypertrophy

increase in the size of an organ or tissue or cell

Glands

groups of specialized cells that secrete material used elsewhere in the body

Exocrine Glands

groups of cells that secrete their chemical substances into ducts that lead out of the body

Endocrine Glands

groups of cells that secrete their chemical substances directly into the bloodstream

Organ

a part of the body the performs a special function or functions