Veterinary Glossary Guide

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chrissy Taylor

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Glossary terms
abdomen
abdominal cavity
abdominocentesis
abortion
abscess
acariasis
acaricide
ACE inhibitor
acidic
acquired
acromegaly
actinobacillosis
actinomycosis
acupuncture
acute
acute pain
Addison's disease
adenocarcinoma
adenoma
adenovirus
adrenal gland
aerosol
aflatoxicosis
African horse sickness
agalactia
agent
aggression
agonist
agouti
airway
algal poisoning
alkaline
alkaloidosis
allergy
alloimmune reaction
alopecia
alternative therapy
alveoli
alveolus
amino acid
amoeba
amphetamine
amphibian
amputation
amyloid
amyloidosis
anabolic
analgesia
analgesic
anaphylactic shock
anemia
anesthesia
anesthetic
anestrus
aneurysm
animal-assisted therapy
animal welfare
anorexia
anoxia
antacid
antagonist
anterior
anterior uvea
anthelmintic
anthrax
antibacterial
antibiotic
antibiotic resistance
antibody
anticholinergic
anticoagulant
anticonvulsant
antidepressant
antidote
antiemetic
antifungal
antigen
antihistamine
anti-inflammatory
antimicrobial
antineoplastic
antioxidant
antiparasitic
antiseptic solution
antitoxin
antivenin
antiviral
anus
aorta
aortic arch
aortic valve
aplasia
aquatic
arboreal
arrhythmia
arsenical
arterial dilator
artery
arthritis
arthroscopy
artificial insemination
ascarid
ascites
as-needed dosing
aspergillosis
asphyxiation
aspiration
aspiration pneumonia
asthma
astringent
atherosclerosis
atopy
atria
atrial fibrillation
atrial standstill
atrial thrombosis
atrioventricular valve
atrium
aural plaque
autoimmune
autonomic nervous system
avian tuberculosis
awn
axon
B cell
bacteremia
bacteria
bacterial disease
bacterium
barbering
baroreceptors
basal cells
basking
basophil
benign
besnoitiosis
beta cells
biceps brachii tendon
biopsy
bladder
blastoma
blastomycosis
blepharitis
blind spot
Beta cells are cells in the pancreas that produce insulin
Biceps brachii tendon 
Tendon of the biceps brachii, a major muscle of the upper front leg that acts to bend the elbow joint
Biopsy 
The removal of a small sample of tissue or fluid for examination. A sample is obtained in a way suited to the type of tissue and its location; it might be drawn out with a hollow needle and syringe, scraped with a curette, or cut away with a scalpel
Bladder 
A stretchable, membranous sac-like structure in the body that holds fluids; the term is used most often to refer to the urinary bladder
Blastoma 
A tumor composed of previously healthy young cells that never mature normally, but mutate into a cancer
Blastomycosis 
A disease caused by Blastomyces fungi that can affect several species of animals or humans; infection may occur in the skin, lungs, or other body organs
Blepharitis 
Inflammation of the eyelids
Blind spot 
The small circular area, insensitive to light, where the optic nerve enters the eye
Blister 
A fluid-filled bump on the skin
Blood cell count 
The number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in a sample of blood. Also called a complete blood count (CBC)
Blood cells 
Erythrocyte
Leukocyte
Platelet
Blood clot 
A mass of blood cells, protein, and platelets, also known as a thrombus, that forms whenever there is a break or tear in a blood vessel
Blood poisoning 
A disorder, also known as septicemia, in which bacteria or their toxins circulate in the bloodstream
Blood pressure 
The force exerted by the blood against the walls of the blood vessels, especially the arteries
Blood transfusion 
A procedure in which another animal's blood is introduced into the body to counteract blood loss, anemia, or other conditions
Blood typing 
The identification of blood groups in order to match donor blood with the recipient's blood for a blood transfusion
Bloodborne 
Carried by or transmitted through blood
Bloodstream 
The flow of blood through the circulatory system of an organism
Body cavity 
An enclosed space in the body that contains organs, such as the cranial, spinal, thoracic, and abdominal cavities
Boid snakes 
Snakes related to boa constrictors. The group includes pythons
Bone marrow 
A soft tissue filling the spaces of the spongy tissue found at the ends of long bones. It produces red blood cells, most types of white blood cells, and platelets
Borreliosis 
Disease caused by bacteria of the genus Borrelia
Botulism 
Infection caused by ingesting food or dead flesh containing toxins produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, or by absorbing toxins in the gastrointestinal tract. It results in rapid paralysis and death
Brachycephalic 
Short-headed or broad-headed
Brachygnathia 
Abnormal shortness or recession of the lower jaw
Brachytherapy 
A cancer treatment that involves internal radiation therapy
Brackish 
Water that is a mixture of fresh and salt water
Bradycardia 
A slower than normal heart rate
Brain 
The controlling center of the nervous system in vertebrates, connected to the spinal cord and enclosed in the cranium
Brain stem 
One of the 3 main sections of the brain; it controls many basic life functions
Brain stem auditory evoked response (BAER)
Records electrical activity in the pathway from the sound receptors in the ear to the brain stem and cerebrum
Breed 
A group of animals or organisms having common ancestors and certain distinguishable characteristics
Breeding 
Sexual reproduction of animals, either spontaneously or planned and supervised by human beings
Broad-spectrum antibiotics 
Antibiotics that are effective against a wide range of bacteria
Bronchial 
Relating to the bronchi, the bronchial tubes, or the bronchioles, the body's airways
Bronchitis 
Inflammation of the bronchial airways
Bronchoscopy 
Interior examination of the airways with an endoscope
Buck 
The male of certain mammal species, such as rabbits, antelope, and deer