26/1/2015

VeterinaryMedicalTerminology

VeterinaryMedicalTerminology
CourtesyofNanetteWalkerSmith,RVT,CVTandElizabethWarren,RVT

TheNerdBook

Allveterinaryhospitalsshouldhaveagoodveterinarymedicaldictionaryaccessibleatalltimes.WerecommendSaundersComprehensiveVeterinaryDictionary,
seconded.byBloodandSaunders.
Basicwordstructure:Mostmedicaltermscanbedecipheredbybreakingthemdowntotheirroots:Prefixwordbeginning,maycompletelychangethemeaningof
thewordCombiningvowellinksrootwordstorootwordsorsuffixes(usuallyo)Rootwordfoundationoftheword,maychangetoacombiningformtolink
wordsSuffixwordending,refersbacktotheroot
Themostcommonwordstructuresseeninveterinarypracticearelistedinthechartsbelow:

TheVSPNNerdbookwas
createdbyveterinary
techniciansandveterinary
supportstafffortheir
colleagues.TheNerdbook
providesinformationthat
veterinarytechniciansand
supportstaffneedin
practice,butisnotmeantto
containeverything.
Proceduresandpoliciesvary
amongpractices,sofeel
freetomodifyyour
Nerdbookfityourfacility.

Prefix

Meaning

Example

Literal
Translation

ActualDefinition

a,ab,abs

No,not

Agalactia

Conditionofno
milk

Partialorcompleteabsenceofmilkflowintheabsenceof
mammaryglanddisease

Ad

Toward,near

Adduct

Todrawtoward
themedian

Movementtowardsthemedianorcentralline

Amb,ambi

Both

Ambidextrous

Bothright

Havingtheabilitytoworkeffectivelywitheitherhand

Contributors

Amphi

Onbothsides

Amphiarthrosis

Joinedonboth
sides

Jointwhichsurfacesareconnectedbyfibrocartilage(allows
verylittlemovement)

Introduction
CriticalCareTriage

VolumeOne

ClinicalPathology

An

No,not

Anemia

Withoutblood

Decreasednumberofredbloodcells(erythrocytes)orthe
amountofhemoglobinintheerythrocytes

Ant,anti

Against

Antibiotic

Againstlife

Destructiveoflife

Auto

Self

Autonomic

Pertainingtoones
(Neurologically)notsubjecttovoluntarycontrol
nerves

MedicalCalculations
MedicalTerminology

EmergencyReceptionist
tips
MedicalRecords

Ana

Up,apart

Anatomy

Processofcutting Thesciencedealingwiththeformandstructureofliving
apart
organisms

Bili

Pertainingtobile

Biliary

Pertainingtothe
bile

Pertainingtothebile,bileducts,orgallbladder

PhysicalExam

Brady

Slow

Bradycardic

Slowheart

Aslowheartrhythm

Radiology

Broncho

Relatingtobronchi

Bronchiole

Smallbronchi

Theverysmallbranchesofthebronchi

Cardi,cardio

Relatingtotheheart

Cardiac

Pertainingtothe
heart

Pertainingtotheheart

Cervico

Relatingtotheneck

Cervical

Pertainingtothe
cervicalregion

Pertainingtothecervicalregion

Circa

About

Circadian

Abouttheday

Adailyrhythmordailyoccurrence
Measurementaroundtheoutsideofastructure

Circum

Around

Circumference

Aroundthe
outside

Co

Worktogether

Coagulant

Worktogetherto
formclot

Tocauseaclot

Con

Togetherwith

Concussion

Togetherwith
blow

Violentjarorshockthatresultsinsevereinjury

Contra

Against,proposed

Contralateral

Againsttheside

Pertainingto,situatedon,oraffectingtheoppositeside

Di

Twice

Diarticular

Twojoints

Pertainingtotwojoints

Diagnose

Knowledgeofa
condition

Toidentifyorrecognizeadisease

Dia

Through,complete

http://www.vspn.org/Library/Misc/VSPN_M02371.htm

Pharmacology
PreventativeHealth

1/8

26/1/2015

VeterinaryMedicalTerminology

Dialy

Toseparate

Dialysis

Toseparatebreak Processofseparatingcomponentsofafluidandmaintain
apart
viability

En

Inward

Encephalic

Inthehead

Pertainingtothebrainwithintheskull

Endo

Within,inner

Endocrine

Secretewithin

Pertainingtointernalsecretions
Theouterlayerofskin

Epi

Above

Epidermis

Pertainingtothe
skinabove

Ex

Out

Excise

Tocutout

Toremovebycutting
Originatingoutsideorcausedbyfactorsoutsidetheorganism

Exo

Outsideof,outward

Exogenous

Pertainingto
outward
production

Extra

Outsideofinadditionto

Extralabel

Outsideofthe
label

Useofadruginawayorforapurposenotspecifiedonthe
label

Fibro

Relatingtofibers

Fibrosarcoma

Fibercancer

Sarcomamadeoffibroustissue

Gaster,gastr,
Pertainingtothestomach
gastro

Gastrotomy

Cutinthe
stomach

Surgicalincisionintothestomach

Hemi

Half

Hemilaminectomy

Removalofhalf
thelamina

Removalofavertebrallaminaononesideonly

Hemo

Relatingtotheblood

Hemogram

Blood
report/graph

Reportofthebloodparameters

Hepat,
hepatico,
hepato

Pertainingtotheliver

Hepatic

Pertainingtothe
liver

Pertainingtotheliver

Homeo

Denotinglikenessorresemblance

Homeopathy

Thestudyoflike
diseases

Studyoftreatingdiseaseinasickanimalwithdrugscapable
ofproducingthesameresponseinahealthyanimal

Homo

Same,similar

Homogeneous

Generatedthe
same

Ofuniformquality,compositionorstructure

Hyal

Clear,transparent

Hyaline

Clear,transparent

Pertainingtoaclear/transparentappearanceofacastor
membrane

Hyper

Excessive,above

Hypertrophic

Pertainingto
excessivefood

Increaseinvolumeofatissueororganproducedentirelyby
enlargementofexistingcells(overnourishment)

Hypo

Below,deficient

Hypothyroid

Deficientthyroid

Deficientthyroidglandactivity

Idio

Relationshiptoone'sselfor
somethingseparateanddistinct

Idiopathic

Pertainingtoa
disease

Pertainingtoadiseasewithanunknownorigin

In

Not,in,inside,within

Ingesta

Materialwithin

Materialtakenintothebodybymouth
Pertainingtobelowtheeye

Infra

Below

Infraorbital

Pertainingto
belowtheeye

Intra

Within

Intrauterine

Withintheuterus

Withintheuterus

Iso

Equal,alike

Isometric

Equalmeasure

Equalmeasure

Karyo

Relatingtoacell'snucleus

Karyocyte

Nucleatedcell

Nucleatedcell
Spasmodicclosureofthelarynx(seenincats)

Laryngo

Pertainingtothelarynx

Laryngospasm

Spasmofthe
larynx

Medi

Middle

Mediastinum

Middleofthe
sternum

Themembranesthatseparatethethoraxintorightandleftat
thesternumandvertebralcolumn

Myelo

Pertainingtothespinalcordor
bonemarrow

Myelogram

Arecordofthe
spinalcord

Injectionofadyeintothespacearoundthespinalcolumnto
produceaspecificimageonaradiograph

Ovari,ovario

Pertainingtotheovary

Ovariohysterectomy

Removalofthe
Surgicalremovaloftheovariesanduterus
ovariesanduterus

Omni

All

Omnivore

Onethateatsall

Animalthateatsbothplantsandmeat(i.e.dog)
Aroundavessel
Aftersurgery

Peri

Surrounding,around

Perivascular

Pertainingto
aroundavessel

Post

Behind,after

Postsurgical

Aftersurgery

http://www.vspn.org/Library/Misc/VSPN_M02371.htm

2/8

26/1/2015

VeterinaryMedicalTerminology

Pre,Pro

Before,infrontof,favoring

Prognathism

Conditionbefore
thejaw

Abnormalprotrusionofoneorbothjaws,especiallythelower
one

Pseudo

False

Pseudopregnancy

Falsepregnancy

Falsepregnancy

Re

Back

Recheck

Checkback

Reexaminationofapatient

Retro

Behind

Retrograde

Goingbackward

Goingbackward

Semi

Half

Semicircular

Halfcircle

Halfcircle

Steato

Fatty

Steatitis

Fatinflammation

Inflammationoffattytissue

Underthe
mandible

Underthemandible

Sub

Under,near

Submandibular

Syn

Joinedtogether

Synarthrosis

Jointjoined
together

Essentiallyafusedjoint(skullsuture)

Trans

Across,through,beyond

Transplacental

Acrossthe
placenta

Throughtheplacenta

Un

Not,reversal

Unconscious

Notconscious

Notconscious

Suffix

Meaning

Example

LiteralTranslation

ActualDefinition

able,ible,ble

Thepowertobe

Palpable

Thepowertofeel

Abletofeelsomething

ac

Pertainingto

Cardiac

Pertainingtotheheart

Pertainingtotheheart
Pertainingtoanerveornerves

al

Pertainingto

Neural

Pertainingtoanerveor
nerves

algia

Pain

Arthralgia

Painofthejoint

Paininajoint

ase

Formsthenameofan
enzyme

Asparaginase

Enzyme

Enzymethatcatalyzesthedeaminationofasparagine

blast

Designatesacellor
structure

Myeloblast

Bonemarrowcell

Immaturecellofthebonemarrow

cele

Denotingaswelling

Sialocele

Swellingofthesalivary
gland

Swellingofthesalivarygland

centesis

Denotingapuncture

Cystocentesis

Punctureofacyst

Commonlyknownasaneedleaspirateofbladdercontents

cyte

Cell

Erythrocyte

Redbloodcell

Redbloodcell

ectomy

Excision

Lumpectomy

Excisionofalump

Excisionofalump

emia

Bloodcondition

Lipemia

Fatintheblood

Anexcessoflipidsintheblood

esthesia

Denotingsensation

Anesthesia

Withoutsensation

Withoutsensation

gene,genesis,
genetic,genic

Denotingproduction,
origin

Angiogenesis

Bloodvesselorigin

Thedevelopmentofbloodvessels

gram

Atracing,amark

Echocardiogram

Echotracingoftheheart

Therecordproducedbysoundwaveexaminationoftheheart

graph

Awriting,arecord

Electrocardiograph Recordofelectrocardiogram Therecordproducedbyelectricaltracingsoftheheart

ia

Condition

Leukopenia

Decreasedwhitebloodcells

Reductionofthenumberofleukocytes(whitebloodcells)inthe
blood

iasis

Denotingaconditionor
pathologicstate

Atelectasis

Conditionofcollapsedlung

Collapsedorairlesslungtissue

ic

Pertainingto

Gastric

Pertainingtothestomach

Pertainingto,affecting,ororiginatinginthestomach
Veterinarianspecializinginthestudyofkidneys

ist

Onewhospecializesin

Nephrologist

Personspecializingin
kidneys

itis

Inflammation

Pancreatitis

Inflammationofthe
pancreas

Inflammationofthepancreas

logy

Processofstudy

Zoology

Thestudyofanimals

Thebiologicalstudyofanimals

oid

Denotingformor
resemblance

Opiod

Likeanopiate

Syntheticnarcoticthatactslikeanopiate

http://www.vspn.org/Library/Misc/VSPN_M02371.htm

3/8

26/1/2015

VeterinaryMedicalTerminology

oma

Tumor,mass

Hematoma

Massofblood

Alocalizedcollectionofextravasatedblood,usuallyclotted,in
anorgan,space,ortissue

opsy

Processofviewing

Necropsy

Viewingofadeceasedbody

Examinationofabodyafterdeath.Thetermusedforanimals,
synonymouswithautopsy(forhumans)

osis

Abnormalcondition

Proptosis

Abnormalforwardplacement Eyeballiseitherpushedforwardintheeyesocketorispartially
oftheeye
outofthesocket.

Gastrostomy

Openingthestomach

Surgicalopeningofthestomach

ostomosis,ostomy, Tofurnishwithan
stomy
openingormouth
plasty

Denotingmoldingor
shaping

Rhinoplasty

Shapingthenose

Surgicalshapingofthenose

rhagia,rhagic

Denotingdischarge,
usuallybleeding

Hemorrhagic

Bloodydischarge

Bloodydischarge

rhaphy

Meaningsuturingor
stitching

Gastrorhaphy

Surgicalrepairofthe
stomachbysuture

Surgicalrepairofthestomachbysuture

rhea

Meaningaflowor
discharge

Diarrhea

Rapidflowoffecalmatter

Rapidflowoffecalmatter

scope

Instrumenttovisually
examine

Endoscope

Instrumentusedtoview
somethingwithin

Instrumentusedtoviewtheinsideofthegastrointestinaltract,
orwithinanotherorgan.

scopy

Processofvisually
examining

Gastroscopy

Visualexaminationofthe
gastrointestinaltract

Visualexaminationofthegastrointestinaltract

sis

Stateofcondition

Prognosis

Forethoughtofknowledge

Aforecastoftheprobablecourseofapatientscondition/disease

tome,tomy

Instrumenttocut,process
Osteotome
ofcutting

Instrumentthatcutsbone

Achisellikeknifeforcuttingbone

CombiningForms:
Root

Meaning

Example

DefinitionofExample

Aer,aero

Denotinggas

Aerophagic

Conditionofgulpingair,fillingthestomachwithair

Alge,algesi,algo

Relatingtopain

Analgesia

Withoutpain

Anomalo

Denotingirregularity

Anomaly

Anirregularfinding

Arthro

Relatingtoajointorjoints

Arthrodesis

Fusionofajoint

Brevi

Short

Abbreviate

Veryshort,shortened

Celio

Denotingtheabdomen

Celiotomy

Incisionintotheabdomen

Chol,chole,cholo

Relatingtobile

Cholestasis

Stoppageofthebileflow

Chrom,chromo

Relatingtocolor

Chromatophylic

Likescolor(takesupstainwell,i.e.cells)

Cranio

Relatingtothecraniumoftheskull

Craniotomy

Acutintothecranium

Cryano,cryo

Denotingcold

Cryosurgery

Surgeryperformedbyfreezing(withliquidnitrogen)

Crypt

Tohide,apit

Tonsilarcrypt

Pocketofskinwherethetonsilssit

Cyano

Darkblue

Cyanobacteria

Photosynthesizingbacteriaesp.inwater

Cyclo

Pertainingtoacycle

Acyclic

Withoutacycle

Cysto

Relatingtoasacorcyst

Cystotomy

Incisionintoacyst(usuallydenotingtheurinarybladder)

Cyto

Denotingacell

Cytology

Thestudyofcells

Dacryo

Pertainingtothelacrimalglands

Dacryosyrinx

Lacrimalduct

Dactylo

Relatingtodigits

Polydactyly

Manydigits(i.e.6toedcats)

Dent,dento,donto

Relatingtoteeth

Dental

Pertainingtotheteeth

Derma,dermat

Relatingtotheskin

Dermatophytosis

Conditionofskinfungus

Desmo

Relatingtoabondorligament

Desmitis

Inflammationofaligament

Dextro

Right

Dextroversion

Versionoftheright,(i.e.movementofeyestotheright)

Diplo

Double,twofold

Diploid

Resemblingadoubleortwoofthesame

Dorsi,dorso

Referringtotheback

Dorsal

Pertainingtowardthevertebralcolumn

http://www.vspn.org/Library/Misc/VSPN_M02371.htm

4/8

26/1/2015

VeterinaryMedicalTerminology

Duodeno

Relatingtotheduodenum

Duodenoscopy

Observingtheduodenum

Electro

Relatingtoelectricity

Electrocautery

Burningbyelectricity(orcoagulating)

Encephalo

Denotingthebrain

Encephalitis

Inflammationofthebrain

Entero

Relatingtotheintestines

Enterotomy

Incisionintotheintestines

Eso

Inward

Esophagus

Structurethatbringsthefoodinward

Facio

Relatingtotheface

Facial

Pertainingtotheface

Gero,geronto

Denotingoldage

Geriatric

Pertainingtotheaged

Gingiva

Relatingtothegingivaorgum

Gingivitis

Inflammationofthegingiva

Gloss,glosso

Relatingtothetongue

Hypoglossal

Underthetongue

Gluco

Denotingsweetness

Glucosuria

Glucoseintheurine

Glyco

Relatingtosugar

Glycosuria

Glucoseintheurine

Gnath,gnatho

Denotingthejaw

Prognathic

Havingaprotrudingjaw

Hist,histio,histo

Relatingtoatissue

Histopathology

Microscopicexaminationoftissuefordisease(whatyoudotoa
biopsy)

Hydr,hydro

Denotingwater

Hydrocephalic

wateronthebrain(excessivefluidretentioninthecranium)

Ileo

Pertainingtotheileum

Ileocecal

Theareawheretheileumjoinsthececum

Ipsi

Meaningself

Ipsilateral

Onthesameside

Irido

Relatingtoacoloredcircle

Iridiodialysis

Separationorlooseningoftheirisfromitsattachments

Iso

Equal

Isometric

Measuresthesame

Jejuno

Pertainingtothejejunum

Jejunostomy

Surgicallycreatedanopeninginthejejunum

Kerato

Relatingtothecornea

KCS
(Keratoconjunctivitis
sicca)

(inflammationanddryingofthecorneaandconjunctiva

Labio

Pertainingtothelips

Labial

Pertainingortowardthelips

Lacto

Relatingtomilk

Agalactia

Notproducingmilk

Laparo

Pertainingtotheloinorflank

Laparoscopy

Visualizationoftheabdominalcavity

Latero

Pertainingtotheside

Lateral

Pertainingtotheside

Leido,leio

Smooth

Leiomyosarcoma

Sarcomaofthesmoothmuscle

Leuk,leuko

Denotingdeficiencyofcolor

Leukocyte

Whitebloodcell

Lip,lipo

Pertainingtofat

Lipoma

Fattytumor

Litho

Denotingacalculus

Urolith

Urinarystone

Macr,macro

Large,long

Macrocytic

Largecells

Masti,mastro

Relatingtothebreast

Mastitis

Inflammationofthebreasttissue

Meg,mega

Great,large

Splenomegaly

Enlargedspleen

Meningo

Denotingmembranes,coveringthebrainand
spinalcord

Meningioma

Tumorofthespinalmembranes

Micr,micro

Smallinsizeorextent

Microscopic

Unabletobeseenbythenakedeye

Mono

One

Monochrome

Onecolor

Morpho

Relatingtoform

Morphologic

Pertainingtotheshapeofsomething

Multi

Many

Multipara

Manyviablebirths(i.e.asincats)

My,myo

Relatingtomuscle

Myotomy

Incisionofamuscle

Myc,mycet

Denotingafungus

Mycotic

Pertainingtofunguslikeappearance

Myringo

Denotingtympaniortheeardrum

Myringectomy

Excisionoftheeardrum

Myx,myxo

Pertainingtomucus

Myxovirus

Synonymforinfluenzavirus(mucusvirus)

Naso

Relatingtothenose

Nasopharyngeal

Pertainingtotheareawherethenoseandpharynxmeet

Necro

Denotingdeath

Necrotic

Pertainingtodeadtissue

Neo

New

Neoplasm

Newgrowth

http://www.vspn.org/Library/Misc/VSPN_M02371.htm

5/8

26/1/2015

VeterinaryMedicalTerminology

Nephr,nephro

Denotingthekidney

Nephrotoxin

Toxictothekidney

Normo

Normalorusual

Normovolemia

Normalbloodvolume

Oculo

Denotingtheeye

Oculomotor

Nervethatcontrolseyemovement

Onco

Denotingaswellingormass

Oncology

Thestudyofmasses

Onycho

Relatingtothenails

Onychectomy

Declaw(removaloftoenail)

oo

Denotinganegg

Oocyst

Eggcell

Opisth,opistho

Backward

Opisthotonos

Aformofspasminwhichtheheadandtailarebentdorsallyand
theabdomenbentventrally

Ophthal,opthalmo

Pertainingtotheeye

Ophthalmoscope

Instrumenttoexaminetheeye

Optico

Relatingtovision

Optical

Pertainingtotheabilitytosee

Orchi,orcho

Relatingtothetestes

Orchiectomy

Removalofthetestes

Oro

Relatingtothemouth

Oronasal

Wherethemouthmeetsthenasalpassages

Ortho

Straight,right

Orthopedic

Practiceofcorrectfunctionoftheskeletalsystem

Osteo

Relatingtothebones

Osteoporosis

Pathologicallossofbone

Ot,oto

Denotinganear

Otoscopy

Visualexamoftheear

Patho

Denotingdisease

Pathology

Thestudyofdisease

Pedia,pedo

Denotingachildoryoung

Pediatrics

Pertainingtothestudyoftheyoung/child

Perineo

Combiningformfortheregionbetweentheanus
andscrotumorvulva

Perineum

Theregionbetweentheanusandscrotumorvulva

Phago

Denotingarelationshiptoeating

Phagocytosis

Theeatingofcellsorabsorptionofcells

Pharyngo

Pertainingtothepharynx

Pharyngotomy

Incisionintothepharynx

Phleb,phlebo

Denotingtheveins

Phlebitis

Inflammationoftheveins

phot,photo

Relatingtolight

Photoperiod

Periodoflight

Pilo

Relatingtohair

Piloerection

Hairstandingonend

Plasmo

Relatingtoplasmaorthesubstanceofacell

Plasmacyte

Plasmacell

Pneuma,pneumono,
pneumoto

Denotingairorgas

Pneumonitis

Inflammationoflungtissue=pneumonia

Pod,podo

Meaningfoot

Arthropod

Jointedfoot(typeofinsect)

Poly

Many

Polydactyly

Manydigits

Ptyalo

Denotingsaliva

Ptylectasis

Dilationofasalivaryduct

Pulmo

Denotingthelung

Pulmonary

Pertainingtothelungs/respiratorysystem

Pupillo

Denotingthepupil

Papillary

Pertainingtooremanatingfromthepupil

Pyel,pyelo

Denotingthepelvis

Pyelonephritis

Inflammationoftherenalpelvis

Pyloro

Relatingtothepylorus

Pylorus

Thedistalapertureofthestomachorabomasums

Py,pyo

Denotingpus

Pyonephritis

Infectioninthekidneys

Recto

Denotingtherectum

Rectocele

Hernialprotrusionofpartoftherectumandcolon

Rhin,rhino

Denotingthenose

Rhinoscopy

Visualexamofthenose

Sclero

Denotinghardness

Scleroderma

Hardenedskin

Sero

Pertainingtoserum

Seroma

Swellingofserum

Sinistro

Left

Sinistrocerebral

Situatedinthelefthemisphereofthebrain

Somato

Denotingthebody

Somatic

Pertainingtothebody

Spasmo

Denotingaspasm

Spasmodic

Pertainingtoaspasm

Spermato,spermo

Denotingsperm

Spermatocide

Agentthatdestroysspermatozoa

Sphero

Denotingasphere,round

Spherocyte

Redbloodcellwithdecreasedvolumethatisroundanddense(not
biconcave)

Sphygma

Denotingapulse

Sphygmomanometer

Instrumentformeasuringarterialbloodpressure

Spleen,spleno

Denotingthespleen

Splenomegaly

Enlargementofthespleen

http://www.vspn.org/Library/Misc/VSPN_M02371.htm

6/8

26/1/2015

VeterinaryMedicalTerminology

Staphyl,staphylo

Resemblingabunchofgrapes

Staphylococcus

Agroupofcocci

Steno

Narrow,short

Stenosis

Narrowingofanarea

Steth,stetho

Relatingtothechest

Stethoscope

Instrumentusedtoobtainanauralexaminationofthechest

Stomato

Denotingthemouth

Stomatocyte

Redbloodcellwiththeappearanceofamouth

Sym,syn

With,along,together

Symmetrical

Equallyonbothsides

Tacho,tarchy

Swift

Tachycardic

Pertainingtoaswift/fastheartbeat

Tarso

Relatingtotheflatofthefoot

Tarsal

Pertainingtothehindfoot

Terato

Denotingamarvel,prodigy,ormonster

Teratogenic

Productionofadeformityinadevelopingembryo

Thoraco

Relatingtothechest

Thoracocentesis

Puncturingthechestwithaneedle

Thrombo

Denotingaclotofblood

Thrombocyte

Acellspecializedforformingclots

Toxico,toxo

Denotingpoison

Toxicology

Thestudyofpoisons

Tracheo

Denotingthetrachea

Tracheostomy

Creatinganopeninginthetrachea

Trichi,tricho

Denotinghair

Trichoscopy

Examinationofthehair

Ur,uro,urono

Relatingtourine

Urinalysis

Examinationofurine

Vaso

Denotingavessel

Vasoconstriction

Constrictionofbloodvessels

Veno

Denotingavein

Venipuncture

Surgicalpunctureavein

Ventri,ventro

Denotingtheabdomen

Ventral

Pertainingtotheabdomeninnonhumans

Vertebro

Relatingtothevertebra

Vertebral

Pertainingtothevertebra

Viscero

Denotingtheorgansofthebody

Visceral

Pertainingtothesurfaceoftheinternalorgans

vivi

Denotingalive

Viviparous

Givingbirthtolivingyoungwhichdevelopwithinthematernal
body

Xantho

Denotingyellow

Xanthochromic

Yellowcolored

Xero

Denotingdryness

Xeroderma

Amildformofichthyosis,excessivedrynessoftheskin

Terminologyfrequentlyusedtodesignatebodypartsoforgans:
Bodypart/organ

Medicalterminology

Air

Pneumo

Anus

Anal,ano

Arm

Brachial,brachio

Blood

Hem,hemo,hemat

Chest

Thoracic,thorax,thoraco

Ear

Auricle,oto

Eye

Ocular,oculo,ophthalmo

Foot

Pedal,ped,pod

Gallbladder

Chole,chol

Head

Cephalic,cephalo

Heart

Carium,cardiac,cardio

Intestines

Cecum,colon,duodenum,ileum,jejunum

Kidney

Renal,nephric,nephro

Lip

Cheil,labi

Liver

Hepatic,hepato

Lungs

Pulmonary,pulmonic

Mouth

Oral,os,stoma,stomat

Muscle

Myo

Neck

Cervix,cervical,cervico

Penis

Penile

http://www.vspn.org/Library/Misc/VSPN_M02371.htm

FrontPage:Library:MedicalTerminology

7/8

26/1/2015

VeterinaryMedicalTerminology

Rectum

Rectal

Skin

Derma,integumentum

Stomach

Gastric,gastro

Testicle

Orchio,orchi,orchido

Urinarybladder

Cysti,cysto

Uterus

Hystero,metra

Vagina

Vulvo,vaginal

Planesandtermsrelativetotheanimalbody:
Mesialinornearthemiddleofthedentalarcade
Axialpertainingtoorwithrespecttotheaxialskeleton(head,vertebrae,ribcage
Sagittalaplaneorsectionparalleltothemedianplaneofthebody,separatesbodyintorightandleft
Obliqueslantedorinclinedplane
Transverseseparatesbodyintofrontandback
Lateralpertainingtoaside
Ventralpertainingtothebelly,abdomen,orundersideofthebody,oppositeofdorsal
Dorsalpertainingtothebackortopofthebody,oppositeofventral
Cranialpertainingtotheheadorcranium
Caudalpertainingtothehindendortail
Frontalplanethatseparatesthebodyintotopandbottom
Rostralpertainingtothenose
Palmarpertainingtothepadsorbottomofthefoot(aswouldbethehumanpalm)
Plantarpertainingtothesoleorcaudalaspectofthedigit
Proximalnearesttoapointofreferenceorpointofattachment
Distalfurthesttoapointofreferenceorpointofattachment
CourtesyofNanetteWalkerSmith,RVT,CVTandElizabethWarren,RVT
Address(URL):http://www.vspn.org/Library/Misc/VSPN_M02371.htm
FrontPage:Library:MedicalTerminology

800.700.4636|help@vspn.org|530.756.4881|Fax:530.756.6035
777WestCovellBlvd,Davis,CA95616
Copyright2015,VeterinaryInformationNetwork,Inc.

http://www.vspn.org/Library/Misc/VSPN_M02371.htm

8/8