Common Veterinary Terms (PDF)

Common Terms Introduction to Veterinary Technology Anatomical & Positional Definitions Abduction: Movement of a limb or part away from the median line or middle of the body. Adduction: Movement of a limb or part toward the median line or middle of the body. Adjacent: Nex...

Common Terms Introduction to Veterinary Technology Anatomical & Positional Definitions Abduction: Movement of a limb or part away from the median line or middle of the body. Adduction: Movement of a limb or part toward the median line or middle of the body. Adjacent: Next to, adjoining, or close. Example: The tongue is adjacent to the teeth. Caudal: Pertaining to the tail end of the body, or denoting a position more toward the tail or rear of the body than another reference point (body part). Example: The tail is caudal to the head. Central: Pertaining to or situated near the more proximal areas of the body or a structure; opposite of peripheral. Example: The spinal cord is central to the sciatic nerve. Cranial: Pertaining to the cranium or head end of the body, or denoting a position more toward the cranium or head end of the body than another reference point (body part). Example: The head is cranial to the tail. Anatomical & Positional Definitions Part 1 Deep: Situated away from the surface of the body or a structure; opposite of superficial. Example: The muscles are deep to the skin. Distal: Farther from the center of the body, relative to another body part or location on a body part relative to another closer location. Example: The tibia is distal to the femur. Dorsal: Pertaining to the back area of a quadruped (animal with four legs), or denoting a position more toward the spine than another reference point (body part). Example: The vertebral column is dorsal to the abdomen. Extension: The act of straightening, such as a joint; also, the act of pulling two component parts apart to lengthen the whole part. Flexion: The act of bending, such as a joint. Anatomical & Positional Definitions Part Lateral: 2 Denoting a position farther from the median plane of the body or a structure, on the side or toward the side away from the median plane, or pertaining to the side of the body or of a structure. Example: The lateral surface of the leg is the “outside” surface. Medial: Denoting a position closer to the median plane of the body or a structure, toward the middle or median plane, or pertaining to the middle or a position closer to the median plane of the body or a structure. Example: The medial surface of the leg is the “inside” surface. Oblique: At an angle, or pertaining to an angle. Example: The vein crosses obliquely from the dorsal left side to the ventral right side. Palmar: Palmar pertains to the caudal surface of the front foot distal to the antebrachiocarpal joint; also pertains to the undersurface of the front foot. Peripheral: Pertaining to or situated near the periphery, the outermost part, or surface of an organ or part. Example: The enamel of a tooth is peripheral to the dentin and central root canal. Plantar: Plantar pertains to the caudal surface of the back foot distal to the tarsocrural joint; also pertains to the undersurface of the rear foot. Anatomical & Positional Definitions Part 3 Prone, pronation: Lying face down, in ventral recumbency. Pronation is the act of turning the body or a leg so the ventral aspect is down. Proximal: Nearer to the center of the body, relative to another body part, or a location on a body part relative to another, more distant, location. Example: The humerus is proximal to the radius. Recumbent: Lying down; a modifying term is needed to describe the surface on which the animal is lying. Example: An animal in dorsal recumbency is lying on its dorsum (back), face up (Fig. 3-3). Rostral: Pertaining to the nose end of the head or body, or toward the nose. Example: The nose is rostral to the eyes. Superficial: Situated near the surface of the body or a structure; opposite of deep. Example: The skin is superficial to the muscles. Supine, Supination: Lying face up, in dorsal recumbency. Supination is the act of turning the body or a leg so that the ventral aspect is uppermost. Ventral: Pertaining to the underside of a quadruped, or denoting a position more toward the abdomen than another Dorsal Recumbency Sternal or Ventral Recumbency Lateral Recumbency Dental Definitions Buccal Toward the cheek; tooth surface toward the cheek. Lingual Pertaining to the tongue; tooth surface toward the tongue. Contact Tooth surface facing an adjacent or opposing tooth. Mesial Tooth surface closest to the midline of the dental arcade. Occlusal: The chewing or biting surface of teeth; toward the plane between the mandibular and maxillary teeth. Labial Toward the lips; tooth surface toward the lips Skull Types Canine Nails Cat Nails Cephalic Vein Cephalic Vein Occlusion Jugular Saphenous- Canine Lateral Saphenous- Feline Medial Restraint Other Terms Cephalic: Located on front limbs Jugular: Located on neck Saphenous: Located on back legs Occlude Hold off or restrict blood flow