Monday, 6 May 2024, 9:34 AM
Site: VetLogic - E Learning and training for Vet Nurses
Course: VetLogic - E Learning and training for Vet Nurses (VetLogic)
Glossary: Glossary with audio assistance
H

Haematocrit

a test to measure the red blood cells as a percentage of the total volume of blood. Haematocrit is the calculated number, using an analyser, whereas packed cell volume (PCV) is derived from manual measurement.

Haematopoiesis

formation of blood and blood cells

Haematuria

presence of blood in the urine

Haemoglobinuria

presence of haemoglobin in the urine

Haemorrhage

loss of blood

Haemothorax

blood in the pleural cavity

Hair bulb matrix

part of the hair that is situated at the end of the follicle and produces the cells of the hair

Halitosis

bad breath

Haploid cell

cell with half the number of chromosomes, and no pairs. These include the gametes (i.e. sperm and ova).

Haploid number

a single set of chromosomes (n) found in the nuclei of gametes, this is half the number of chromosomes found in the nuclei of all other eukaryotic cells

Haversian canal

channel in the center of a Haversian system containing nerves, blood vessels and lymph vessels

Haversian system

a unit of bone structure in which the bone cells are arranged in concentric circles

Healthy carriers

animals that have not shown clinical signs of disease

Hepatic

pertaining to the liver

Herbivore

plant-eating animal

Hering Breuer reflex

reflex pathway between pulmonary stretch receptors and the brain that prevents overinflation of the lungs

Heterozygous

having two different alleles of a gene

High voltage transformer

increases the incoming mains voltage (240 V) to thousands of volts (kV)

Histology

the study of normal healthy tissues using a microscope

Histones

proteins that bind to DNA in eukaryotic cells

Homeostasis

the maintenance of a constant internal environment

Homozygous

having two identical alleles of a gene

Hormone

secretion produced by an endocrine gland and carried to its target organ by means of the blood

Hydrophilic

water loving

Hydrophobic

water hating

Hyperadrenocorticism

disease caused by excess adrenocortical hormones; also known as Cushing's disease


Hypercalcaemia

increased blood calcium level

Hypercapnia

increased carbon dioxide levels - end tidal and in the blood

Hyperglycaemia

increased blood glucose level

Hyperkalaemia

increased blood potassium level


Hyperpnoea

increase in the depth of breathing

Hyperreflexia

excessive or exaggerated reflex action

Hypertension

higher than normal blood pressure

Hyperthermia

higher than normal body temperature

Hyperthyroidism

disease caused by excess thyroid hormone in the blood

Hypertonic

a fluid with a higher osmotic pressure than that with which it is compared (usually plasma)

Hypertonic fluid

has a higher concentration of solutes than blood plasma and causes water to be drawn out of the cells into the circulation

Hyperventilation

excessive rate and depth of ventilation

Hypervolaemia

abnormal increase in blood volume

Hypoadrenocorticism

disease caused by insufficient adrenocortical hormones; also known as Addison's disease

Hypocapnia

decreased carbon dioxide levels - end tidal and in the blood

Hypoglycaemia

decreased blood glucose level

Hypoproteinaemia

decreased plasma protein level in the blood

Hyporeflexia

weaker than normal reflex action

Hypotension

lower than normal blood pressure

Hypothermia

lower than normal body temperature

Hypothyroidism

disease caused by a lack of thyroid hormone in the blood

Hypotonic

a fluid with a lower osmotic pressure than that with which it is compared (usually plasma)

Hypotonic fluid

has a lower concentration of solutes than blood plasma and causes water to enter the cells

Hypoventilation

inadequate ventilation

Hypovolaemia

abnormal decrease in blood volume

Hypoxaemia

decreased level of oxygen in the blood

Hypoxia

decreased level of oxygen in the body tissues