Understanding Veterinary terminology

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To determine the meaning of a term, look at the parts in this order:

1.Suffix

2.Prefix

3.Root(s)

Self-check 1

1. A medical term with a suffix usually describes:

A condition, an action, or a relationship.

2. What is the most important rule in analyzing medical terminology?

To begin analyzing the word from the end (suffix).

3. True or false? A medical term can only have one root?

False, because a medical term has to describe a condition, action, or relationship.

4. The prefix PSYCHO- is what form of the root PSYCH- ?

The combining form, so that the medical term can be pronounced easily. The O is the combining vowel, so: PSYCHO/O

Prefixes: tell us about what or where

ANATOMICAL TERMINOLOGY:

The three main cell parts are the "plasma membrane" (cell's outer boundary), "cytoplasm", and the "nucleus"

movement of the substances in and out of plasma membrane is called "disffusion". The disffusion of water across cell's membrane is called "osmosis"

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CYTOPLASM

* MATERIAL THAT FILLS SPACE BETWEEN PLASMA MEMBRANE & NUCLEUS

There are numerous structures call ORGANELLES within cytoplasm.

ORGANELLES: Specialized structures of cells perform vital cell functions.

NUCLEUS

*CELL'S COMMAND & CONTROL CENTER

Contains chromosomes & one or more nucleoli (plural)

NUCLEOLUS (SINGULAR): Is a rounded body that synthesizes cell protein.

CHROMOSOMES: Structures containing a linear thread of DNA

DNA: Substance which transmit genetic information & determines every detail of an organisms, appearance, structure, & function.

TISSUES

A tissue is a group or similarly specialized cells that together perform certain special functions. There are four types of tissue:

EPITHELIAL TISSUE- Formed from epithelial cells, this tissue is skin but it also covers organs, lines body cavities (openings that hold organs), and forms portions of some ducts and glands. It protects the body, absorbs and secretes & excretes substances.

MUSCLE TISSUE- Three types, voluntary or striated is controlled by conscious effort. Involuntary or smooth is controlled without conscious effort.

CONNECTIVE TISSUE- Fibrous tissue, w/ several functions, such as to connect or support other body structures.

NERVE TISSUE- Extends throughout the body to carry messages to & from brain.

ORGANS

Somewhat independent body part that performs specific function or functions. Various tissues helps support various organ's function. Most organs are housed in hollow or spaces called cavities. Five major body cavities:

CRANIAL CAVITY- Housing the brain & pituitary gland.

SPINAL CAVITY- Housing spinal cord.

THORACIC CAVITY- Housing lungs.

ABDOMINAL CAVITY- Housing major digestive organs.

PELVIC CAVITY- Housing urinary & reproductive organs.

Two more "where" terms classify these cavities into groups:

DORSAL (MEANS BACK)- Cranial & spinal cavities

VENTRAL (MEANS TOWARDS THE LOWER SURFACE)- Thoracic, abdominal, & pelvic cavities.

Double membrane called "pluera" surrounds each lung. Space between lungs & pluera is called, plueral cavity.

BODY SYSTEMS

Group of organs functioning together for a common purpose. We will categorize the body systems as follows:

LYMPH SYSTEM- Responsible for carrying nutrients, wastes, hormones, & gases to & from body cells providing protection and immunity from harmful organisms.

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM- Pumps blood.

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM- Secretes hormones.

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM- Processes food.

INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM- Sensory organs (ex skin, hair, claws), encase the body, regulates temperature & communicate touch.

MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM- Supports body structures.

MUSCULAR SYSTEM- Carries out nerve commands.

NERVE SYSTEM- Carries nerve impulses to & from brain.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM- Conducts oxygen into & carbon dioxide out of the body.

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM- Enables the organism to reproduce itself.

URINARY SYSTEM- Produces & excretes urine.

LAYING POSITIONS:

When the animal is lying down, it is recumbent.

LATERAL RECUMBENCY - Lying on it's side, left or right.

STERNAL RECUMBENCY - Lying on it's belly.

DORSAL RECUMBENCY - Lying on it's back

ANATOMICAL POSITION

CRANIAL-CAUDAL - Cranial refers to "towards the head" & cuadal refers to "towards the tail"

DORSAL VENTRAL - Dorsal refers to the "dorsum" or the back of the animal. Ventral refers to "ventrum" or the belly of the animal.

LEFT-RIGHT - Refers to the animal's right or left side.

PALMAR-PLANTAR - Palmar refers to the bottom of animal's front foot. Plantar refers to the bottom of animal's hind foot.

MEDIAL-LATERAL- "Middle-to-the-side" opposition. Medial means "towards the midline of the body". While Lateral means, "Away from the midline of the body". Like half of the body, line running straight down.

PROXIMAL-DISTAL- These are "closer-farther" oppositions. They refer to the closeness or distance of a part to it's point of origin. For instance, the proximal end of the thigh bone joins the hip bone. The distal end of the thigh bone joins the kneecap.

SUPERFICIAL-DEEP- A superficial or external wound is one close to the surface. A deep or internal wound extends far below the surface. Skin is superficial to the thigh bone, whereas the thighbone is deep to the same muscles.

PLANES OF THE BODY

Medical professionals use planes to picture the relative locations of organs in the body.

DORSAL PLANE: The dorsal plane divides the body into dorsal (top) & ventral (bottom) area.

SAGITTAL PLANE: The sagittal plane divides the body into left & right parts. The midsagittal plane divides the body down the middle.

TRANSVERSE PLANE: Or cross-sectional plane, divides the body into cranial & caudal parts. HALF