Veterinary Glossary Guide

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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