Terms To Know
Anatomical Terminology
Anterior – front of the animal
Caudal – towards the tail of an animal
Cranial – towards the head of an animal
Deep – further from the surface
Distal – part of the limb furthest from the body
Dorsal – along the back or uppermost surface
Frontal plane – body plane that divides the animal into dorsal and ventral parts
Lateral – side of an animal
Median – body plane that divides the animal into “equal” right and left halves
Posterior – rear of the animal
Proximal – part of the limb closest to the body
Sagittal – any body plane that is parallel to the median plane
Superficial – closer to the surface
Transverse – body plane that divides the body into cranial and caudal parts
Ventral – along the belly surface
Skeletal System
Appendicular skeleton – consists of fore and hind limbs
Axial skeleton – consists of the skull and vertebrae
Comminuted fracture – bone shatters into many pieces
Compound fracture – bone breaks through the skin
Diaphysis – body of a long bone
Endosteum – thin inner layer of bone covering; lines medullary cavity
Epiphysis – enlarged ends of long bones
Fissure fracture – break along the long axis of a bone
Flat bone – plate of bone, i.e. scapula
Greenstick fracture – break on one side of a bone, usually due to a bending force
Irregular bone – complex and irregularly shaped bone, i.e. vertebrae
Long bone – bone longer than it is wide, i.e. humerus, radius, and femur
Medullary cavity – space within the bone filled with marrow
Metaphysis – joining point of epiphysis and diaphysis
Ossification – process by which tissue and cartilage becomes bone
Periosteum – thin outer layer of bone covering
Sesamoid – small, seed-shaped bone embedded in a tendon, i.e. proximal and distal
sesamoids
Short bone – cube shaped bone, i.e. bones of the carpus and tarsus
Simple fracture – bone does not break through the skin
Skeleton – framework of structures that support and protect the body
Synovial joint – freely moveable joint
Transverse fracture – break completely across the bone
Terms To Know (cont.)
Muscular System
Abdominal obliques – large flat muscles that support digestive and reproductive organs
Abduction – movement away from the median plane
Adduction – movement towards the median plane
Agonist – prime mover of a joint
Ambulation – moving from one place to another
Antagonist – opposes movement of the agonist
Biceps brachii – primary flexor of the elbow joint
Deep digital flexor – primary flexor of the digit
Deltoid – primary abductor of shoulder
Extension – moving the distal part of a limb away from the body
Flexion – moving the distal part of a limb towards the body
Gluteals – large muscle of the upper hindquarters
Latissimus dorsi – large dorsal muscle, attaches humerus to lumbar region
Masseter – muscle of the cheek
Pectorals – primary adductors of the forelimbs
Serratus ventralis – attaches front leg to trunk
Synergist – muscle that indirectly aids the agonist
Tendon – narrow band of tissue that connects muscle to bone
Trapezius – superficial triangular muscle of the shoulder
Triceps brachii – primary extensor of the elbow joint
Respiratory System
Alveoli – grape-like clusters at ends of bronchioles; where exchange of oxygen and
carbon dioxide gases occur
Apnea – not breathing
Asphyxiation – suffocation; blockage of airflow that results in a lack of oxygen
Bradypnea – abnormally slow respiratory rate
Bronchi – paired terminal branches of the trachea contained within the lungs; singular:
bronchus
Bronchial tree – term that describes how bronchi get continually smaller, like a tree
branch
Bronchioles – smallest branches of the bronchial tree
Cilia – tiny hairs inside nostrils that help to filter air
Diaphragm – Muscle located below the lungs; contraction causes the lungs to draw in a
breath
Dyspnea – difficult breathing
Epiglottis – flap that covers the larynx during swallowing
Exhalation – release of a breath
Inhalation – drawing in of a breath
Larynx – ‘voice box’ that contains vocal cords
Terms To Know (cont.)
Lungs – paired major organs of respiration that contain bronchi and are divided into
clearly defined lobes
Mucous membrane – lining of respiratory tract that secretes mucus
Mucus – slimy secretion that warms, moistens, and filters air
Pharynx – common passageway for both the respiratory and digestive systems
Respiration – exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide gases with cells
Tachypnea – abnormally fast respiratory rate
Trachea – windpipe; has distinct rings of cartilage
Nervous System
Axon – sends impulses away from cell
Brain – major organ of nervous system; contained within the skull
Brainstem – connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord; contains the Medulla oblongata
Central nervous system – contains brain and spinal cord
Cerebellum – coordinates movement and muscle activity, balance
Cerebrum – largest portion of brain; responsible for receiving and storing information
and signaling for voluntary movement
Connecting neuron – carries impulses from one neuron to another
Dendrites – branch-like; receive impulses
Homeostasis – state of balance of the physiologic systems within the body
Impulse – electrical signal that is transmitted through nervous tissue
Medulla oblongata – part of the brain responsible for all life functions including: heart
rate, breathing, and reflex actions (coughing, sneezing, swallowing,
and vomiting)
Meninges – protective layer covering the brain; has three layers
Motor neuron – carries impulses from the brain towards the muscles and glands
Nerve – term for one or more bundles of nerve cells
Neuron – nerve cells
Neurotransmitter – chemical substance that allows impulses to travel
Parasympathetic nervous system – maintains and restores normal body function
Peripheral nervous system – consists of all nerves that lead to and from the spinal cord
and brain, known as cranial and spinal nerves
Sensory neuron – carries impulses towards the brain and spinal cord
Soma – cell body that contains the nucleus
Spinal cord – pathway for all impulses going to and from the brain,
Sympathetic nervous system – responsible for stress and emergency responses; “fight or
flight”
Synapse – space between neurons that contains a neurotransmitter