Chapter 1
Veterinary Medical Terminology
and Abbreviations
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or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Word Parts
• PREFIX- the word part at the beginning
of a term
• SUFFIX- the word part at the end of a
term
• ROOT- the word part that gives the term
its meaning
• COMBINING VOWEL- root word and
vowel that allow certain terms to be
pronounced with ease (vowel is
commonly “o”)
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or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Common Root Words
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CARDI/O- heart
UTER/O- uterus
HYSTER/O- uterus
ENTER/O- intestines
REN/O- kidney
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NEPHR/O- kidneys
HEPAT/O- liver
OVARI/O- ovary
LAPAR/O- abdomen
CHEM/O- chemical
ARTHR/O- joint
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or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Common Root Words
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CUTANE/O- skin
HEM/O- blood
NAS/O- nose
RHIN/O- nose
COL/O- colon;
intestine
• GASTR/O- stomach
• MAST/O- mammary
gland
• RECT/O- rectum
• URIN/O- urine
• CYST/O- urinary
bladder
• RADI/O- radiation
• ELECTR/Oelectricity
• OSTE/O- bone
• DENT/O- teeth
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Common Prefixes
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PRE- before
PERI- around
POST- after
A- or AN- without; no
AB- away from
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AD- towards
ANTI- against
SUB- below
SUPER- above
DYS- difficult; painful
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Common Prefixes
• HYPO- below
normal; decreased
• HYPER- above
normal; excessive
• ENDO- within; inside
• ECTO- outside
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EXO- outside
POLY- many
OLIGO- very little
INTER- between
INTRA- within
© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied
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Common Suffixes
• -OSIS: condition
• -EMIA: blood
• -ECTOMY: surgical
removal of
• -STOMY: creating a
new surgical opening
• -PEXY: to suture to
• -PLASTY: to
surgically repair
• -TOMY: to cut into
surgically; to make
an incision
• -ITIS: inflammation
• -CENTESIS: surgical
puncture into
• -MEGALY:
enlargement of
• -PATHY: disease
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Common Suffixes
• -LOGY: the study of
• -GRAPH: to record
with an instrument
• -GRAPHY: the act of
using an instrument to
record
• -GRAM: a record of
• -SCOPE: instrument
used to look at or view
• -SCOPY: the act of
using an instrument
for viewing
• -RRHEA: to flow
• -RRHAGE: to burst
• -LYSIS: to break
down
• -THERAPY:
treatment
© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied
or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
“Pertaining to” Suffixes
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-INE
-IC
-AR
-EAL
-OUS
-TIC
-US
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-AN
-AL
-ARY
-AC
-IAN
-E
-IVE
-UM
© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied
or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Breaking Down a Term
• Break each word into the PREFIX,
SUFFIX and ROOT word
• Determine each meaning and put into a
definition that makes sense
–
–
–
–
POST/OPERAT/IVE: pertaining to after a surgery
CARDIO/LOGY: the study of the heart
GASTR/ITIS: inflammation of the stomach
OVARIO/HYSTER/ECTOMY: surgical removal of
the ovaries and uterus
© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied
or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Common Directional Terms
• LATERAL: side of
the body; toward the
outside
• DISTAL: away from
the center of the
body
• DORSAL: toward the
back of the body
(spinal area)
• CRANIAL: toward
the head of the body
• PALMAR: bottom of
the front feet
• ROSTRAL: toward
the nose
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or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Common Directional Terms
• MEDIAL: toward the
inside
• PROXIMAL: toward
the center of the
body
• VENTRAL: toward
the abdomen of the
body (belly)
• CAUDAL: toward the
tail of the body
• PLANTAR: bottom of
the back feet
• ASPECT: area
• RECUMBENT or
RECUMBENCY:
lying
• TRANSVERSEacross an area
dividing it into cranial
and caudal sections
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or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Directional Diagram
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A- cranial
B- caudal
C- ventral
D- dorsal
E- rostral
F- proximal
G- distal
H- palmar
I- plantar
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Species Terms
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Canine- dog
Feline- cat
Equine- horse
Bovine- cow
Cavy- guinea pig
Primate- monkeys
and apes
• Poultry- chickens
and turkeys
• Murine- rats or mice
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Ovine- sheep
Porcine- pig
Caprine- goat
Lagomorph- rabbit
Avian- bird
Reptile- snakes and
lizards
• Amphibians- frogs
and toads
• Terrapin- turtle
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or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Common Animal Terms: Dogs
• Intact: capable of
reproduction
• Bitch: female adult
intact dog
• Stud dog: male adult
intact dog
• Puppy: newborn dog
• Litter: a group of
newborn dogs
• Whelping: the labor
process of dogs
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or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Common Animal Terms: Cats
• Queen: adult female
intact cat
• Tom: adult male
intact cat
• Kitten: newborn cat
• Queening: the labor
process of cats
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or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Common Animal Terms: Rabbits
• Buck: adult male
• Kindling: labor
intact rabbit
process of rabbits
• Doe: adult female
intact rabbit
• Lapin: neutered male
rabbit
• Kit: newborn rabbit
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or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Common Animal Terms: Ferrets
and Guinea Pigs
• Jill: intact female
ferret
• Hob: intact male
ferret
• Sprite: neutered
female ferret
• Gib: neutered male
ferret
• Sow: female intact
guinea pig
• Boar: male intact
guinea pig
• Pup: young newborn
guinea pig
© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied
or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Common Animal Terms: Rats
and Mice
• Dam: adult female
intact rat or mouse
• Sire: adult male
intact rat or mouse
• Pup: young newborn
mouse or rat
© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied
or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Common Animal Terms: Poultry
and Birds
• Cock: adult intact
male chicken or
parrot
• Rooster: adult male
chicken
• Hen: adult female
chicken or parrot
• Cockerel: immature
male chicken
• Pullet: immature
female chicken
• Chick: newborn
chicken
• Poult: young
chicken or turkey
• Flock: group of birds
• Drake: male duck
• Duck: female duck
• Duckling: newborn
duck
© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied
or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Common Animal Terms: Pigs
• Sow: adult female
intact pig
• Boar: adult male
intact pig
• Barrow: young
castrated male pig
• Stag: adult male
castrated pig
• Gilt: young immature
female pig that has
not farrowed
• Piglet: newborn pig
• Farrowing: labor
process of pigs
© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied
or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Common Animal Terms: Horses
• Stallion: adult male
intact horse
• Mare: adult female
intact horse
• Colt: young male
horse
• Filly: young female
horse
• Foal: newborn horse
• Gelding: castrated male
horse
• Weanling: young horse
under a year of age
• Yearling: young horse
between 1 and 2 years
of age
• Herd: group of horses
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or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Common Animal Terms: Equine
• Horse: equine over
14.2 hands in height
• Pony: equine under
14.2 hands in height
• Hand: measurement
of height that equals
4 inches
© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied
or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Common Animal Terms: Equine
• Donkey: donkey
crossed with a
donkey
• Hinny: cross of male
horse and female
donkey
• Jack: intact male
donkey
• Jenny: intact female
donkey
• Mule: cross of male
donkey and female
horse
© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied
or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Common Animal Terms: Sheep
and Goats
• Ewe: adult female
sheep
• Ram: adult male
sheep
• Lamb: newborn
sheep
• Lambing: labor
process of sheep
• Freshening: labor
process of dairy
animals
• Buck: male goat
• Doe: female goat
• Wether: castrated
male goat or sheep
• Kid: newborn goat
• Kidding: labor
process of goats
© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied
or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Common Animal Terms: Cattle
and Llamas
• Bull: male cow or
llama
• Cow: female cow or
llama
• Heifer: young female
cow that has not
been bred
• Stag: mature
castrated male cow
• Steer: young
castrated male cow
• Calf: newborn cow
• Calving: labor
process of cows and
llamas
• Cria: young llama
© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied
or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
FLASH CARDS
• Use flash cards for
new veterinary terms
learned throughout
the course
• Study 5-10 minutes
each day
• You will learn many
veterinary terms and
abbreviations in this
course to add to your
vocabulary list
• Make terminology
FUN!
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or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Clinical Situation
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Yr
SF
DLH
PE
v/d
WNL
TPR
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Wt
Lbs or #
CBC
Rads or x-rays
dz
dx
tx
o
Tabs
PO
SID
o
BM
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or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Are you ready for the exam?
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Twice a day
By mouth
Surgery
Prescription
Four times a day
History
Diagnosis
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Gums
Treatment
Pulse
Biopsy
Positive
Every
Pound
Right ear
Left eye
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or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Patient Information
• K-9: canine or dog
• DLH: domestic long
hair (cat)
• DSH: domestic short
hair (cat)
• M: male
• F: female
• S or SF: spayed or
spayed female
• NM: neutered male
• C or CAST:
castrated
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or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Patient Information
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o: owner
y or yr: year
mo: month
wk: week
d: day
EX: exotic
C-SECT: caesarian
section
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d/o: drop off
p/u: pick up
d/c: discharge
rec: recommend
S/R: suture removal
Sx- surgery
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or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Patient History
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Hx: history
V: VOMITING
D: DIARRHEA
V/D: vomiting and
diarrhea
• PD: POLYDIPSIA
(increased thirst)
• U: URINE
• PU: POLYURIA
(increased urination)
• C/S: culture and
sensitivity
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or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Patient History
• BM: BOWEL
MOVEMENT
• ANOREXIA: NOT
EATING
• LETHARGIC: TIRED
• DYSURIA:TROUBLE
URINATING
• HEMATURIA:
BLOOD IN URINE
• HBC: hit by car
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or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Physical Exam
• PE: physical exam
• BAR: bright, alert,
responsive
• QAR: quiet, alert,
responsive
• T: temperature
• P: pulse
• R: respiration
(breathing)
• TPR: temperature,
pulse, respiration
• N or -: negative
• +: positive
• MM: mucous
membranes (gums)
• CRT: capillary refill
time
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or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Physical Exam cont’d
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HR: heart rate
RR: respiratory rate
ABD: abdomen
LN: lymph nodes
WT: weight
Acute: onset of
condition occurs in a
short time
• Chronic: onset of
condition occurs
over a long time
• Dx: diagnosis
• Px: prognosis
• Tx: treatment
• URI: upper
respiratory infection
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or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Physical Exam cont’d
• UTI: urinary tract
infection
• SOAP: Subjective,
Objective,
Assessment, Plan
• ANALS or AG: anal
glands
• FeLV: feline
leukemia virus
• FIP: feline infectious
peritonitis
• FIV: feline
immunodeficiency
virus
• L: left
• R: right
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or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Laboratory Terms
• Bx: biopsy
• C/S or C & S: culture
and sensitivity
• CBC: complete
blood count
• CHEM: blood
chemistry panel
• PCV: packed cell
volume
• Cysto: cystocentesis
• Fecal: stool or fecal
sample
• UA: urinalysis
• HW: heartworm test
• T4- thyroid test
© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied
or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Pharmacy Terms
• Rx: prescription
• EOD: every other
day
• SID: once a day
• BID: twice a day
• TID: three times a
day
• QID: four times a
day
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PRN: as needed
q: every
d: day
w: week
h: hour
PO: by mouth
NPO: nothing by
mouth
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or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Pharmacy Terms cont’d
• Tab: tablet
• Cap: capsule
• ml: milliliter (liquid
measure)
• cc: cubic centimeter
(liquid measure)
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kg: kilogram
mg: milligram
/: per (mg/kg)
# or lb: pounds
#: amount to
dispense
• oz: ounces
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or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Pharmacy Problem
• The veterinarian has been talking with
Mr. Doe about his dog, Rufus. The dog
is on phenobarbital. Rufus is still having
seizures and the vet has asked you to
have Mr. Doe increase Rufus’s medicine
from (1) 25 mg tablet SID to (1) 25 mg
tablet BID PO. What will you tell Mr.
Doe?
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or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Pharmacy Answer
• You should tell Mr. Doe that the vet
would like Rufus to get (1) 25 mg tablet
of phenobarbital two times a day by
mouth.
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or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Pharmacy Problem
• The vet has asked you to fill the following
prescription: Give (1) tablet of aspirin PO
q 12 h PRN.
• What will you place on the label?
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Pharmacy Answer
• Give (1) tablet of aspirin by mouth every
12 hours or twice a day as needed.
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or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Eyes and Ears
• OD: right eye
• OS: left eye
• OU: both eyes
• AD: right ear
• AS: left ear
• AU: both ears
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Medication Administration
Routes
• SQ: subcutaneous
(under the skin)
• SUB-Q:
subcutaneous
• IM: intramuscular
(into the muscle)
• IV: intravenous (into
the vein)
• IN: intranasal (into
the nasal cavity)
• PO: by mouth
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Medication Administration
Routes
• IC: intracardiac (into
the heart)
• IT: intratracheal (into
the trachea or
windpipe)
• IP: intraperitoneal
(into the peritoneum
or lining of the
abdomen)
• IO: intraoseous (into
the bone)
• ID: intradermal
(within the skin
layers)
© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied
or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Veterinary Associations
• AVMA: American
Veterinary Medical
Association
• AAHA: American
Animal Hospital
Association
• NAVTA: National
Association of
Veterinary
Technicians of
America
• OFA: Orthopedic
Foundation of
America
© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied
or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.