Vet Tech Midterm Ultimate Study Guide

Digestion Overview

Mechanical and chemical breakdown of ingested food into absorbable molecules for cellular metabolism, followed by elimination of non-nutritious waste.

Basic Structures of Digestive System

Oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine.

Tooth Anatomy

Consists of crown, root, enamel, dentin, pulp, cementum, periodontal ligament, and neurovascular supply.

Carnivores

Animals that possess sharp incisors, prominent canines, and specialized carnassial teeth designed for seizing prey and shearing flesh.

Herbivores

Animals that possess large, flat premolars and molars, adapted for cutting and grinding plant materials.

Omnivores

Animals that possess intermediate dentition adapted for processing both plant and animal matter.

Gastric Processing

Peristalsis transports bolus down the esophagus into the stomach where parietal cells secrete $HCl$.

Duodenum

First region of the small intestine receiving pancreatic digestive enzymes and bile.

Cholecystokinin (CCK)

Hormone that triggers gallbladder contraction and stimulates pancreatic enzyme secretion.

Secretin

Hormone that regulates water homeostasis and balances duodenal fluid.

Large Intestine

Composed of cecum, colon, and rectum; primarily absorbs water and electrolytes.

Equine Hindgut Specialization

Monogastric herbivores with an elongated cecum and a four-region colon for plant fiber fermentation.

Symbiotic Fermentation

Process that relies on gut microbes within a four-compartment stomach to break down plant fiber.

Rumen

Large compartment of the ruminant stomach that exhibits mixing contractions for fermentation.

Reticulum

Second compartment of the ruminant stomach, acts as a single functional fermentation unit with the rumen.

Pulmonary Function

Involuntary process directed by the brainstem to maintain ventilation and gas exchange.

Surfactant

Lipid-protein complex that coats alveoli to lower surface tension and facilitate lung inflation.

Conduction Centers

SA node and AV node responsible for heart's electrical conduction and pacing.

P Wave

Depolarization of the atria following SA node firing.

QRS Complex

Represents ventricular contraction (systole) on an ECG tracing.

Arrhythmias

Deviations from normal sinus rhythm, including various forms of tachycardia and bradycardia.

Anemia

Condition characterized by subnormal red blood cell mass due to various causes.

Cyanosis

Bluish tissue discoloration indicative of hypoxemia and desaturated hemoglobin.

Bloat

Condition characterized by ruminal gas entrapment causing severe left-flank distension.

Displaced Abomasum

Gas-filled dilation and upward displacement of the fourth stomach, often seen after calving.

Heaves

Recurrent, noncontagious airway obstruction in horses caused by inhalation of dust and mold.

Hypocalcemia (Milk Fever)

Condition of acute subnormal blood calcium, particularly occurring at parturition.

Porcine Stress Syndrome

Disorder resulting from defective calcium leakage from the sarcoplasmic reticulum in pigs.