Monday, 6 May 2024, 8:00 PM
Site: VetLogic - E Learning and training for Vet Nurses
Course: VetLogic - E Learning and training for Vet Nurses (VetLogic)
Glossary: Glossary with audio assistance
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Absorption

the movement of a fluid or a dissolved substance across a cell membrane, for example the soluble products of digestion pass through the mucus membrane of the small intestine into the blood stream

Acid/base balance

maintenance of the normal pH within the body systems

Acromegaly

excess growth of bones after the epiphyses have closed, caused by excess secretion of growth hormone

Actin

a contractile protein found in muscle fibres

Active transport

the movement of molecules or ions through transport proteins across a cell membrane, against their concentration gradient. The process requires energy from ATP

Acute

a disease that has a rapid onset, short duration and pronounced clinical signs

Ad libitum feeding

feeding performed with freedom. Sometimes called free-choice or Ad lib

Addison's disease

disease caused by insufficient adrenocortical hormones; hypoadrenocorticism

Additive

a substance purposely put into food to give a desirable characteristic (e.g. color, flavor, texture, resistance to spoilage etc)

Adipose tissue

fat tissue in the body

Aerobic

requiring oxygen for life and growth

Aerobic respiration

the enzymatic release of energy from the oxidation of organic compounds in living cells in a process requiring oxygen

Afferent nerve fibres

carry nerve impulses towards the central nervous system

Agonal gasp

a terminal breathing pattern where the animal appears to be gasping for breath

Agonist

something which increases a response

Albumin

the most abundant plasma protein. Principally responsible for maintenance of circulating blood volume by preventing too much water leaving the capillaries by osmosis.

Allele

one of two or more different forms of a gene. Different alleles of a gene occupy the same locus on a pair of homologous chromosomes.

Alleles

these are alternative forms of a gene, showing different options for the same gene e.g. red, black, white coat coloring. Each has a specific place or ‘locus’ on the chromosome.

Alopecia

A partial or complete loss of hair in areas where it is normally present

AMTRA

Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority

Anabolic reaction

a reaction in which chemical substances are built up and energy is used

Anaemia

a deficiency in the number of circulating red blood cells or haemoglobin concentration in the blood

Anaerobic

not requiring oxygen

Anaerobic respiration

the partial oxidation of organic compounds in the cell to release energy, in a process which does not require oxygen

Anastomosis

an artificial or naturally occurring connection between two structures, which are normally separate, for example between blood vessels or loops of intestine

Androgens

a group of male sex hormones e.g., testosterone

Anion

a negatively charged particle

Anisocoria

Pupils that are not symmetrical in size. i.e. one pupil may be constricted and the other dilated.

Anode

a positively charged electrode to which electrons are attracted

Anorexia

loss of appetite for food

Antagonist

something which prevents or decreases a response

Anthroponosis

a disease which can be spread from humans to animals

Antibody

a globular protein or immunoglobulin, made by plasma cells and secreted into the plasma in response to a specific antigen, in order to destroy and eliminate the antigen from the body

Antidotes

specific reversing agent for a poison

Antigen

a substance that is foreign to the body and stimulates an immune response

Antiperistalsis

movement of food material up the digestive tract. This is in the opposite direction to peristalsis.

Antisepsis

the prevention of sepsis (presence of pathogenic organisms or their toxins in the blood or body tissues)

Antiseptic

a chemical use to control, prevent or destroy pathogens present on living tissues/skin

Anuria

lack of urine output

Anxiolysis

decreased level of anxiety

Apnoea

Arrhythmia

an abnormal heart rhythm

Artefact

any mark on a radiograph which decreases the quality

Artery

blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart

As fed basis

the concentration of a nutrient in the food as it is fed to the animal, which includes the water content of the food

Ascites

excess fluid in the abdominal cavity

Asepsis

freedom from infectious material

Aseptic

the complete absence of bacteria, viruses or fungi that could cause disease. Asepsis is the ideal situation for the performance of surgical or other invasive procedures, and is achieved by sterilisation techniques

Asexual reproduction

reproduction which involves only one parent and produces offspring which are identical to the parent

Ash

the residue left after combustion of the food - generally the mineral content

Asystole

no electrical activity in the heart – a ‘flat line’ on the ECG

Atom

smallest particle capable of existing on its own or as molecules when in combination with other atoms

ATP

adenosine triphosphate, a high energy phosphate molecule used to store and release energy for work within the body

Auscultation

a technique used for listening to the sounds of the body with the use of a stethoscope, for example the heart beat and respiratory sounds within the thoracic cavity

Autonomic nervous system

part of the peripheral nervous system that supplies stimulation to the cardiac and smooth muscles and the glands of the body, involved in unconscious control

Autosomes

all the chromosomes within the nucleus of the cell except the sex chromosomes

Autotransformer

prevents fluctuations in the mains voltage and ensures constant 240 volts supplied to the X-ray machine

AVM GSL

Authorised Veterinary Medicine - General Sales List

Azotaemia

increased levels of nitrogenous by-products in the bloodstream