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MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY
FOR VETERINARY PRACTICE
Breaking Down a Term:
Ê Break each word into the PREFIX, SUFFIX and ROOT word
Ê Determine each meaning and put into a definition that makes sense
Ê POST/OPERAT/IVE:
Ê CARDIO/LOGY:
Ê GASTR/ITIS:
Ê OVARIO/HYSTER/ECTOMY:
Common Directional Terms:
Ê LATERAL:
Ê DISTAL:
Ê DORSAL: toward the back of the body (spinal area)
Ê CRANIAL: toward the head of the body
Ê PALMAR:
Ê ROSTRAL: toward the nose
Ê MEDIAL: toward the inside
Ê PROXIMAL:
Ê VENTRAL: toward the abdomen of the body (belly)
Ê CAUDAL:
Ê PLANTAR: bottom of the back feet
Ê ASPECT:
Ê RECUMBENT or RECUMBENCY: lying
Ê TRANSVERSE-
Directional Diagram
Species Terms:
Ê Canine-
Ê Feline-
Ê Equine-
Ê Bovine-
Ê Cavy-
Ê Primate-
Ê Poultry-
Ê Murine-
Ê Ovine-
Ê Porcine-
Ê Caprine-
Ê Lagomorph-
Ê Avian-
Ê Reptile-
Ê Amphibians-
Ê Terrapin-
Common Animal Terms: Dogs
Ê Intact: capable of reproduction
Ê Bitch:
Ê Stud dog: male adult intact dog
Ê Puppy:
Ê Litter: a group of newborn dogs
Ê Whelping: the labor process of dogs
Common Animal Terms: Cats
Ê Queen: adult female intact cat
Ê Tom:
Ê Kitten: newborn cat
Ê Queening: the labor process of cats
Common Animal Terms: Rabbits
Ê Buck: adult male intact rabbit
Ê Doe:
Ê Lapin: neutered male rabbit
Ê Kit:
Ê Kindling:
Common Animal Terms: Ferrets and Guinea Pigs
Ê Jill:
Ê Hob:
Ê Sprite:
Ê Gib:
Ê Sow:
Ê Boar:
Ê Pup:
Common Animal Terms: Rats and Mice
Ê Dam:
Ê Sire: adult male intact rat or mouse
Ê Pup:
Common Animal Terms: Poultry and Birds
Ê Cock: adult intact male chicken or parrot
Ê Rooster:
Ê Hen
Ê Cockerel: immature male chicken
Ê Pullet:
Ê Chick: newborn chicken
Ê Poult:
Ê Flock:
Ê Drake: male duck
Ê Duck:
Ê Duckling: newborn duck
Common Animal Terms: Pigs
Ê Sow: adult female intact pig
Ê Boar:
Ê Barrow: young castrated male pig
Ê Stag:
Ê Gilt:
Ê Piglet: newborn pig
Ê Farrowing:
Common Animal Terms: Horses
Ê Stallion:
Ê Mare:
Ê Colt:
Ê Filly:
Ê Foal: newborn horse
Ê Gelding:
Ê Weanling: young horse under a year of age
Ê Yearling:
Ê Herd: group of horses
Common Animal Terms: Equine
Ê Horse: equine over 14.2 hands in height
Ê Pony: equine under 14.2 hands in height
Ê Hand:
Ê Donkey: donkey crossed with a donkey
Ê Hinny:
Ê Jack: intact male donkey
Ê Jenny:
Ê Mule:
Ê
Common Animal Terms: Sheep and Goats
Ê Ewe:
Ê Ram:
Ê Lamb: newborn sheep
Ê Lambing: labor process of sheep
Ê Freshening:
Ê Buck:
Ê Doe:
Ê Wether: castrated male goat or sheep
Ê Kid:
Ê Kidding: labor process of goat
Common Animal Terms: Cattle and Llamas
Ê Bull:
Ê Cow:
Ê Heifer: young female cow that has not been bred
Ê Stag:
Ê Steer:
Ê Calf: newborn cow
Ê Calving:
Ê Cria: young llama
Patient Information
Ê K-9: canine or dog
Ê DLH:
Ê DSH:
Ê M: male
Ê F: female
Ê S or SF:
Ê NM: neutered male
Ê C or CAST:
Ê o:
Ê y or yr: year
Ê mo:
Ê wk: week
Ê d: day
Ê EX:
Ê C-SECT: caesarian section
Ê d/o:
Ê p/u:
Ê d/c:
Ê rec:
Ê S/R:
Ê Sx-