Trauma: Wounds, Fb's Etc

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering medical terminology, traumatic thoracic and abdominal injuries, pneumothorax types, and sensory organ emergencies based on lecture notes.

Epistaxis

Bleeding from the nose, commonly caused by trauma, nasal foreign bodies (such as grass seeds), or tumours.

Dyspnoea

Difficulty breathing; animals displaying this symptom must be observed constantly as deterioration can occur rapidly if oxygen supply is compromised.

Apnoea

The temporary absence of breathing.

Tachypnoea

An increased respiratory rate.

Tachycardia

An increased heart rate.

Bradypnoea

A decreased respiratory rate.

Bradycardia

A decreased heart rate.

Cyanosis

A bluish discolouration of the skin or mucous membranes resulting from deficient oxygenation.

Haemothorax

An accumulation of blood within the thoracic (chest) cavity.

Haemoptysis

Blood-stained expectorant; mucus from the respiratory tract that is coughed up.

Pneumothorax

An abnormal accumulation of air outside the lungs but inside the chest wall within the pleural space, preventing normal inflation and causing the lungs to collapse.

Open Pneumothorax

Occurs when an external penetrating wound in the thoracic wall breaks the pleural vacuum, allowing outside air to be sucked in on inspiration (often producing a hissing sound) and causing lung collapse.

Closed Pneumothorax

Occurs when the lung tissue is punctured—often by the sharp ends of fractured ribs—allowing air to leak into the pleural cavity without any external wound leading from the body surface.

Subcutaneous Emphysema

An accumulation of air under the skin that produces a crackly, spongy feel when palpated.

Diaphragmatic Hernia / Rupture

A tear or hole in the diaphragm caused by trauma or congenital defect, which results in abdominal viscera protruding into the thoracic cavity.

Peritonitis

Severe inflammation of the abdominal cavity lining resulting from the spillage of intestinal contents after bowel injury.

Closed Abdominal Haemorrhage

Profuse internal bleeding from damaged internal organs (such as the liver, spleen, or kidneys) where the abdomen fills with blood and appears distended while the skin remains intact.

Traumatic Pneumothorax

A pneumothorax caused by blunt or penetrating physical injury to the chest, such as being struck by a motor vehicle or kicked by a horse.

Spontaneous Pneumothorax

A pneumothorax that develops without preceding trauma, typically arising secondary to underlying pulmonary lesions like lung abscesses or severe pneumonia.

Eyeball Prolapse

An emergency ocular condition where the eyeball protrudes from its orbit; requires keeping tissues moist with sterile saline or artificial tears, treating for shock, and immediate veterinary intervention.

Acute Glaucoma

An ocular emergency characterised by corneal clouding and rapid pressure elevation in the eye that requires immediate treatment by a veterinary surgeon.

Aural Haematoma

A collection of blood within the pinna (ear flap) following trauma, managed by wound care, applying an ear bandage, and fitting a protective collar to prevent self-mutilation.

Umbilical Hernia

A protrusion of abdominal contents through a defect in the abdominal wall at the site of the umbilicus, which can become strangulated and require urgent attention.

Buster Collar

A cone-shaped protective collar placed around an animal's neck to prevent it from rubbing, scratching, or interfering with injured eyes, ears, or wound sites.

Ring Bandage

A circular donut-shaped protective bandage positioned around a protruding penetrating object to stabilise it and prevent further movement without pressing directly on the object.