Medical Glossary

Abdominocentesis
Withdrawal of fluid from the abdomen using a needle

Abnormal
An anomaly, deformity, malformation, impairment, or dysfunction

Abscess
Cavity filled with pus

Acute
Of sudden onset; having a short course

Adverse reaction
An undesirable response to a drug by a patient; it may vary in severity from mild to fatal

Aerobic
Able to survive only in the presence of molecular oxygen; pertaining to metabolism in which oxygen is involved

Aggressive / Caution animal
Forceful, physical action toward another, (be careful not get injured)

Agonal
Pertaining to the struggling seen just before death; pertaining to an infection or disease in its terminal stages

Albumin
A major protein of blood plasma that is produced in the liver

Ambulate
To walk

Ambulatory
Walking, or able to walk

Anaerobic
Able to survive only in the absence of oxygen; pertaining to metabolism in which oxygen is not involved

Analgesic
Agent that reduces or eliminates pain but does not cause loss of consciousness

Anemic
Condition characterized by reduced numbers of red blood cells, and/or reduced hemoglobin

Anesthesia
State of being without sensation, especially to pain. May be described as local (affecting a small area), regional, or surgical (accompanied by unconsciousness)

Anisocoria
Unequal size of the pupils of the eyes

Anorexia
Diminished appetite; aversion to food

Antibiotic
Substance, produced by microorganisms, capable of inhibiting or killing other microorganisms

Antibiotic
An agent produced by a microorganism or semi-synthetically produced that has the ability to inhibit growth of or kill microorganisms

Anticoagulant
Agent that prevents clotting of blood

Antiemetic
Drug that prevents vomiting

Antiseptic / Disinfectant
Destroys disease-producing microorganisms or inactivates viruses

Antitussive
A drug that suppresses coughing possibly by reducing the activity of the cough center in the brain and by depressing respiration

Anuria
Complete suppression of urinary secretion from the kidneys

Anxiety / Anxious
Apprehension of danger

Apnea
No breathing

Arrhythmia
Variation in rhythm of the heart beat

Arthritis
Inflammation of a joint

Ascites
Accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity from blood vessels or organs

Aspirate
To remove fluid or gas from a cavity by suction

Ataxic
Muscular incoordination; irregular muscular contraction

Atelectasis
Incomplete expansion of the lung, collapse of a previously expanded lung

Atrophy
Wasting away of a part

Auscultation
Act of listening for sound within the body, usually with a stethoscope

AV Block
Atrioventricular block (as in first, second, third - degree)

Azotemia
Accumulation of nitrogenous urinary wastes in the blood, without apparent clinical signs

Bacteria
Single-celled microorganisms that usually have a rigid cell wall and a round, rodlike, or spiral shape

Benign
Not malignant; with a favorable prognosis

Bifurcation
Division into 2 branches

Bilateral
Occurring on 2 sides

Bile
Fluid, produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder, that aids digestion by emulsification and absorption of fats

Biopsy
Removal of a small amount of tissue from the body for examination, usually microscopic

Bloat
Gaseous distention of the stomach or cecum

Blood
Fluid, composed of water, cells, clotting factors and other chemicals, that circulates through arteries, capillaries and veins to supply nutrients and remove waste from tissue

Bolus
A large volume of fluid rapidly given intravenously

Bronchitis
Inflammation of the bronchi

Bronchoscopy
Examination of the bronchi by use of a bronchoscope

Cancer
A malignant tumor

Carcinoma
An invasive malignant tumor arising from epithelial tissues

Cardiomegaly
Enlargement of the heart

Cast
A stiff dressing or bandage used to immobilize a body part

Catheter
A tubular instrument used to withdraw fluid from the body, such as a body cavity or the urinary bladder, or to administer fluids, such as into a vein, artery or body cavity

Caudal
Pertaining to the tail end of the body

Centesis
Tapping a body cavity or organ using a needle

Chronic
Persisting over a long period

Clot
A semi-solid mass, as of organized blood cells

Coagulation
Clot formation

Colloid
Solutions containing large-molecular weight particles that are unable to cross cell membranes and are therefore confined to the vascular space

Cortisol
Major hormone produced by the adrenal cortex

Cortisone
A major hormone produced by the adrenal gland, from which cortisol is derived

Coupage
Repetitive, regular striking of the tissue with a cupped hand

Cranial
Pertaining to the head end of the body, or denoting position toward the head

Cream
Semi-solid preparations of oil, water, and a medicinal agent to be applied to the skin

Crystalloid
Solutions containing electrolyte and non-electrolyte substances that are capable of passing through cell membranes and can therefore enter all body fluid compartments

Cyanosis
Bluish discoloration of the mucous membranes and skin caused by poor tissue oxygenation

Cytology
Study of cells

Cytotoxic
Capable of destroying cells

Decubital (Decubitus) Ulcer / Pressure Sore
An ulcerated area of skin caused by irritation and continuous pressure on a part of the body

Deep pain
Pain arising from deep receptors in the periosteum, tendons, and joint structures

Defecation
Natural evacuation of fecal material from the rectum

Dehydration
Condition caused by excessive loss of water from the body

Depolarization
Neutralizing of the polarity of a cardiac cell by an inflow of sodium ions. Depolarization results in contraction of the cardiac cell and renders it incapable of further contraction until repolarization occurs

Detergent
An agent that cleanses

Diarrhea
Abnormal liquidity of the feces

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
Myocardial failure

Disease
Illness; deviation from normal physiologic function

Distal
Farther from any point of reference or farthest from the central axis of the body or a body part

Diuretic
Agent that increases production of urine

Dorsal
Toward the backbone

Drug
A substance used to diagnose, prevent, or treat disease

Dyspnea
Labored or difficulty breathing

Ecchymosis
Small area of hemorrhage in the skin or mucous membrane, larger than petechia

Echo
Echocardiogram, the use of ultrasound to investigate the action of the heart as it beats

Echo
Echocardiogram, image of heart structures produced by ultrasonic waves

E-Collar (Elizabethan Collar)
Funnel shaped sheet of plastic placed around an animal’s neck to prevent self-mutilation

Edema
Abnormally large amounts of fluid in the intercellular tissue spaces of the body

Electrical Mechanical Dissociation
Wide bizarre qrs complexes occurring at a very slow rate are seen on the ecg, but the electrical stimulus causes no mechanical contraction of the heart

Electrocardiogram (ECG / EKG)
Tracing produced by electrical impulses associated with contraction of the heart muscle

Electrolyte
A substance that dissociates into ions when placed in solution, becoming capable of conducting electricity

Embolism
Sudden obstruction of a blood vessel by a clot or foreign material brought to the area by the flow of blood

Emesis
Act of vomiting

Emetic
Drug that causes vomiting

Endocrine
Relating to glands that secrete hormones internally into the blood stream (ductless glands), rather than through a duct

Enzyme
A protein that can greatly accelerate a chemical or physiologic reaction

Epilepsy
Disturbance of brain function characterized by intermittent periods of seizure activity, loss of consciousness or other neurologic abnormalities

Epistaxis
Nosebleed; hemorrhage from the nose

Erythropoietin
A substance produced in the kidneys that stimulates the bone marrow to make red blood cells

Euthanasia
Easy or painless death

Extubate
Removal of a tube from an organ, structure, or orifice

Fatal
Pertaining to or causing death

Feces
Waste products discharged from the intestinal tract

Glaucoma
A group of eye diseases characterized by increased intraocular pressure (IOP) resulting in damage to the retina and the optic nerve

Hematoma
Localized collection of blood in an organ, space or tissue

Hematuria
Blood in urine

Hydration
The taking in of water; used commonly in the sense of reduced hydration or dehydration

Hyperkalemia
Higher than normal potassium levels in the blood, with symptoms of nausea, diarrhea, muscle weakness and, if severe, heart abnormalities; occurs in kidney failure and sometimes as an adverse effect following diuretic use

Hypernatremia
Higher than normal levels of sodium in the blood, resulting from too frequent urination, diarrhea, or other disorder

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

Hypokalemia Abnormally low potassium concentration in the blood

Hypoproteinemia
Abnormal decrease in the amount of protein in the blood, sometimes resulting in edema and fluid accumulation in serous cavities

Hypovolemic Shock
Shock resulting from insufficient blood volume for the maintenance of adequate cardiac output, blood pressure, and tissue perfusion

Hypoxemia
Oxygen toxicity

Iatrogenic
Denoting response to medical or surgical treatment, induced by the treatment itself; usually used for unfavorable responses

Icteric
Relating to or marked by jaundice

Idiopathic
Denoting a disease of unknown cause

Intern
Graduate of a veterinary or medical school in their first year of training in a teaching hospital

Internal medicine
Specialty dealing with disorders of the internal body systems, including such subspecialties as neurology, cardiology and gastroenterology

Internist
Specialist in internal medicine

Jaundice
Yellow discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by deposition of bile pigments

Lateral
On the side of (away from the midline)

Lavage
To irrigate or flush out an organ, such as the stomach

Malignant
Tending to become progressively worse and result in death

Medial
Along the center (towards the midline of the body)

Melena
Blood in stool

Metabolic Acidosis
Decreased body ph caused by excess hydrogen ions in the extracellular fluid

Metabolic Alkalosis
Increased body ph caused by excess bicarbonate in the extracellular fluid

Metastasis
Transfer of disease from one organ or area of the body to another not directly linked to it; often used to denote spread of tumor cells

Microorganism
An organism that is microscopic (i.e., bacterium, protozoan, rickettsia, virus, and fungus)

Murmur
An abnormal, usually periodic sound heard on auscultation of the heart

Myelogram
Radiograph of the spinal canal after injection of radiopaque dye

Myocardial Thickening

Nebulization
The process of converting liquid into a spray that can be carried into the respiratory system by inhaled air

Necropsy
Examination of a body after death

Necrosis
Death of tissue and its component cells

Neurologic
Pertaining to the nervous system

Non-productive cough
A cough that does not result in coughing up of mucus, secretions, or debris (a dry cough)

Oblique
At an angle, slanting, inclined or between horizontal and vertical

Ointment
A semi-solid preparation containing medicinal agents to be applied to the skin or eyes

Oliguria
Scanty urine production

Oncology
Study of tumors

Ophthalmic
Pertaining to the eye

Ophthalmoscope
Instrument used to view the interior of the eye

Otic
Pertaining to the ear

Otoscope
Instrument used to view the external ear canal and tympanic membrane

Pain / Painful
Unpleasant sensation associated with actual or potential tissue damage

Paralysis
Loss or impairment of the ability to move body parts

Parenteral
The route of administration of injectable drugs

Peristalsis
Normal rhythmic motion of the stomach and intestines that moves the contents of that structure forward

Petechia
Pinpoint, round hemorrhages on the skin or on a serosal surface; petechia are smaller than ecchymoses

Phlebitis
Inflammation of a vein

Pneumonia
Inflammation of the lungs caused primarily by bacteria, viruses, or chemical irritants

Pneumothorax
Air in the thoracic cavity

Post-op
Post operation, after surgery

Pre-op
Pre operation, before surgery

Preload
The volume of blood in the ventricles at the end of diastole

Productive cough
A cough that results in coughing up of mucus, secretions, or debris

Prognosis
Forecast of the probable outcome of a disease

Proximal
The point closest to the backbone, used in reference to bones (e.g., the greater trochanter is proximal to the femur)

Pulse Deficit
The absence of palpable pulse waves in a peripheral artery for one or more heart beats

Purulent
Consisting of or containing pus

Pus
Liquid product of inflammation comprised of wbcs, cellular debris and other matter

Pyometra
An accumulation of pus in the uterus. Clinical signs may include: abdominal enlargement, purulent discharge, pu/pd, fever, anorexia, depression and anemia

Pyrexia
(Fever) characterized by a rise in core temperature most often a sign of infection or other disease. Often accompanied by headache, chills, and feeling of malaise

Refractometer
Instrument used for measuring the degree of refraction in translucent substances (used for measuring TS & USG)

Regurgitation
Casting up of undigested or semidigested foodstuff from the esophagus

Restraint
Forcible confinement by means of manually holding and animal or a body part to prevent movement during examination or treatment

Second Degree AV Block
Some atrial impulses (P Waves) are conducted through the A-V node and depolarize the ventricles; others are blocked at the A-V node and do not cause depolarization of the ventricles

Seizure
The sudden attack or recurrence of a disease. Focal: same as partial. Grand mal: one with no localizing signs. After a brief period of restlessness, there is unconsciousness, generalized muscular activity, excessive salivation, chewing, running movements, and often urination and defecation.
Partial: one restricted to a focus in the brain; signs correspond to the area affected (limb, eyes, behavioral). Petit mal: a mild, brief generalized seizure.

Shock
Acute circulatory failure characterized by hypotension, cool extremities and rapid heart rate

SOAP
Acronym: subjective data, objective data, assessment, plan

Suspension
A preparation of solid particles dispersed in a liquid but not dissolved in it (shake before using to provide a uniform dose)

Syringe
Calibrated tubular instrument used for injecting or withdrawing liquids into or from the body

Third Degree AV Block
The most severe form of heart block, in which atrial impulses are blocked at the A-V node. On the ECG the atria beat at their own rate and the ventricles beat at their own rate, which is almost always slower than the atrial rate. There is no relationship between P waves and QRS complexes

Thrombocytopenia
A decreased number of platelets

Thrombus
A clot in the circulatory system

Trauma
A wound or injury

Tumor
A swelling or pathologic enlargement of tissues; a neoplasm

Ultrasound
The use of ultrasonic waves to diagnose disease

Vasoconstriction
Decrease in the diameter of a blood vessel

Vasodilation
Increase in the diameter of a blood vessel

Venipuncture
The puncture of a vein, usually to withdraw blood or inject a solution

Ventral
Pertaining to the abdomen, toward the belly

Ventricular Fibrillation
Disorganized electrical activity in the ventricles characterized on the ecg as bizarre baseline undulations. No P waves or QRS complexes are seen. No mechanical pumping of the heart is present

Vomit
To cast up material from the stomach; the material cast up from the stomach

Vpc
Contraction of the ventricles without a corresponding contraction of the atria. A premature depolarization arising from an ectopic (somewhere in the heart outside the sinoatrial node) site below the A-V Node. Usually the QRS formed by a VPC is bizarre in shape and prolonged in duration

X-ray
An electromagnetic vibration used to diagnose disease