Veterinary Terminology Study Notes

Veterinary Terminology

Medical Terminology as a Language

  • Veterinary medical terminology functions as its own language.
  • The foundational steps to interpret these terms are initiated by understanding prefixes and suffixes.
  • Example of a prefix: Hypo- meaning 'less than'.
  • Pronunciation of medical terminology differs significantly from common usage.

Pluralization of Medical Terms

  • Medical terms have unique rules for forming plurals:
    • Instead of the common addition of "s" or "es":
    • Fascia becomes fasciae
    • Cranium becomes crania
    • Glomerulus becomes glomeruli

Components of Medical Terms

  • Parts of Words
    • Prefix: Beginning part of a word (e.g., Hypodipsic)
    • Suffix: Ending part of a word (e.g., Anastamosis)
    • Root: Foundation of a word (e.g., Hypochondriac, Tachycardia)
    • Combining Form: Used to connect root words with prefixes or suffixes.

Common Prefixes

  • Definitions & Examples:
    • a- = lack of; Anemia = lack of RBCs
    • anti- = against; Antisepsis = against infection
    • bi- = two; Bifurcate = divide into two branches
    • dia- = across; Diapedesis = walk through (ooze)
    • dys- = difficult, painful; Dysuria = painful/difficult urination
    • endo- = within; Endoscope = scope within the body
    • eu- = normal, good; Eupneic = normal breathing
    • hemi- = half; Hemiparesis = half body paralyzed
    • hyper- = excessive, above; Hyperventilate = providing fast breathing

Additional Prefixes

  • infra- = below, beneath; Infraorbital (beneath eye)
  • inter- = between; Intercostal (between ribs)
  • intra- = within; Intracardiac (within the heart)
  • neo- = new; Neoplastic (new tissue growth)
  • para- = beside; Paraneoplastic (associated with cancer)
  • peri- = around; Periosteum (around bone)
  • poly- = excessive; Polydipsic (drinking excessively)
  • post- = behind; Post-operative = after operation
  • retro- = backward; Retroperitoneal (behind abdominal cavity)
  • super- or supra- = above; Supraventricular tachycardia (above the ventricle, fast heart rate)

Common Suffixes

  • Definitions & Examples:
    • -ac, -al, -ic, -ous, -tic = pertaining to; Cardiac = pertaining to heart
    • -algia = pain; Myalgia = muscle pain
    • -centesis = puncture to remove fluid; Cystocentesis = puncture bladder to remove fluid
    • -cyte = cell; Leukocyte, Erythrocyte = white/red blood cell
    • -ectomy = cutting out; Nephrectomy = cutting out kidney
    • -emesis = vomiting; Hematemesis = vomiting blood
    • -emia = blood condition; Anemia, Leukemia
    • -gram = recording, written record; Hemogram = blood exam
    • -itis = inflammation; Pancreatitis = pancreatic inflammation
    • -oma = tumor; Adenoma, Carcinoma
    • -penia = lack of; Lymphopenia = lack of lymphocytes
    • -pexy = fix; Gastropexy = fix stomach to abdominal wall
    • -pnea = breathing; Tachypnea = fast breathing
    • -rrhaphy = suturing in place; Herniorraphy = repair of hernia
    • -rrhea = flow/discharge; Diarrhea
    • -stomy = surgical opening; Gastrostomy = surgical opening of the stomach
    • -tomy = cutting; Cystotomy = cutting of bladder

External Anatomy Terminology

Roots Related to External Anatomy
  • Blepharo = eyelid or lash; Example: Blepharospasm = winking
  • Bucc = cheek; Example: Buccal surface = cheek surface
  • Carp = wrist; Example: Carpus
  • Cephal = head; Example: Hydrocephalus (water head)
  • Cervic = neck; Example: Cervical spine
  • Cili = small hair, eyelash; Example: Cilia
  • Dent = teeth; Example: Dental
  • Derm = skin; Example: Dermatitis
  • Dors- = back; Example: Dorsal fin
  • Faci = face; Example: Facial
  • Gingiv = gum; Example: Gingival
  • Gloss = tongue; Example: Hypoglossal nerve
  • Gnath = jaw; Example: Prognathism (prominent jaw)
  • Lapar = flank/abdomen; Example: Laparotomy
  • Ocul = eye; Example: Ocular
  • Onych = nail; Example: Onychectomy = De-claw
  • Ophthalm = eye; Example: Ophthalmic
  • Rhin = nose; Example: Rhinitis
  • Stomato- = mouth; Example: Stomatitis = mouth inflammation
  • Tars- = ankle; Example: Tarsus
  • Thorac- = chest; Example: Thoracic
Internal Anatomy Terminology
  • Chord = chord/string; Example: Chordae tendinae (small fibers holding heart valves in place)
  • Cost = rib; Example: Intercostal
  • Cyst = bladder; Example: Cystitis
  • Duoden = duodenum intestine; Example: Duodenitis
  • Encephalo = brain; Example: Encephalitis
  • Enter = intestine; Example: Enteritis
  • Episi = vaginal; Example: Episiotomy
  • Fibr = fibers; Example: Fibrous tissue
  • Gastr = stomach; Example: Gastritis
  • Hepat = liver; Example: Hepatitis
  • Histo = tissue; Example: Histopathology (diseased tissue)
  • Hyster = uterus; Example: Ovariohysterectomy
  • Nephro = kidney; Example: Nephrologist
  • Neur = nerves; Example: Neurogenic
  • Orchi = testicles; Example: Orchiectomy
  • Phleb = veins; Example: Phlebitis
  • Pneum = lungs; Example: Pneumonitis
  • Pulm = lungs; Example: Pulmonary
  • Pyel = kidney; Example: Pyelectasia (dilation of renal pelvis)
  • Ren = kidney; Example: Renin (hormone secreted by the kidney involved with blood pressure)
  • Splen = spleen; Example: Splenic hematoma
  • Thyr = thyroid; Example: Thyroiditis
Roots Related to Various Conditions
  • -ectas = dilation; Venectasia = dilation of veins
  • -edem = swelling; Edematous = swollen
  • -esthes = sensation; Anesthesia = absence of sensation
  • -iatro = treatment; Iatrogenic = caused by treatment
  • -lysis = breaking down; Hemolysis = bursting of blood cells
  • -pathy = disease; Hepatopathy = liver disease
  • -phil = loving; Lipophilic = loves fat
  • -paresis = partial paralysis; Hemiparesis = partial paralysis on one half of body
  • -plegia = complete paralysis; Paraplegia = paralysis of hindlegs
  • -poeisis = formation; Hematopoiesis = formation of blood cells
  • -stasis = standing still, stoppage; Hemostasis = stopping blood flow
  • Brachy = short; Brachycephalic = pug face!
  • Brady = slow; Bradycardia = slow heart rate
  • Crypt = hidden; Cryptorchidectomy = hidden abdominal testicle
  • Dolicho = long; Dolicocephalic = Greyhound head!

Quizzes and Exercises

  • Exercise 1: Name part of word that is underlined in these examples:
    • Arteritis
    • Epicarditis
    • Nephrosis
    • Dermatitis
    • Asepsis
  • Quizzes Included in the Material:
    • Common Prefixes, Suffixes, Roots related to multiple systems (e.g., cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, etc.)
    • Clinical applications in anatomy and terminology through interactive quizzes in different body sections.

All notes focus on defining medical terminologies pertinent to the veterinary field, thereby equipping students and practitioners with essential vocabulary crucial for effective communication and understanding in animal healthcare and treatment.