Palpationexamination using the hands to feel part of the body, for example the pulse in an artery or organs in the abdomen |
Pandemican epidemic which occurs all over the world |
Panleukopeniadecreased number of all white blood cells circulating in the blood |
Papulea small, solid bump that rises from the skin |
Paracellularbetween cells; paracellular transport is the route substances travel between cells |
Parallel gridthe most basic type of grid where the lead strips are parallel to each other |
Parasitean agent that lives with and at the expense of an animal host |
Parasympathetic nervous systempart of the autonomic nervous system |
Paratenic hostan intermediate host where no development of the parasite occurs; the paratenic host is ingested by the final host for completion of the life cycle |
Parenteralroute of administration other than gastrointestinal tract |
Parenteral nutritionnutrition that is given intravenously |
Parturitionthe process of giving birth |
Passive transportmovement of molecules down a concentration gradient without energy use |
Pathogena disease-producing organism |
Pathogenesisthe origin and development of disease |
Pathogeniccapable of causing disease |
Penetrating powerthe ability of X-rays to penetrate tissue i.e. their energy affected by kV setting |
Penumbrazone of unsharpness or blurring on a radiograph |
Peripheral nervous systempart of the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord |
Peristalsiswaves of muscular contractions that occur in tubular structures to move contents forwards, e.g. food and other ingested material is moved along the gastrointestinal tract towards the anus. Peristalsis also occurs in the uterine tubes and the ureters. |
Permanent dentitionteeth that develop in the jaw after the deciduous teeth have been shed, and remain for the whole lifetime |
Permanent tissuesCells have very limited capacity for regeneration and as such repair by replacement is the most likely response to injury. |
pHliterally, ‘per hydrogen’. pH refers to the acidity of a substance - one with a low pH has a high concentration of hydrogen ions and is acidic. One with a high pH has a low concentration of hydrogen ions and is alkaline. |
Phagocytosis |
Pharmacologystudy of drugs, including their use, effects and mode of action |
Phenotypephysical appearance of an animal |
Phlebitisinflammation of a vein |
Phospholipida lipid that contains a phosphate group. Phospholipids are the main form of lipid in cell membranes. |
PhotosynthesisThe process by which green plants make carbohydrates such as sugar, using water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight |
Pinocytosisthe process by which fluid is taken into the cell |
Plasmathe fluid part of blood that remains when a sample of blood is separated in a centrifuge |
Plasma membranethe membrane that surrounds a living cell; it consists of a double layer of phospholipids with embedded proteins |
Plateletsalso called thrombocytes, these are small particles derived from megakaryocytes, found in plasma, that are involved in the clotting mechanism of blood |
Pleurisyinfection and inflammation of the pleural membranes. May be exudative or dry. |
Pneumoniainfection and inflammation of the lungs |
Pneumothoraxair in the pleural cavity |
Polydipsiaexcessive thirst and intake of fluid |
Polyphagiaexcessive appetite and intake of food |
Polysynaptic reflexa reflex that involves several intercalated neurons in the pathway |
Polyuriaexcessive excretion of urine |
POM VPrescription Only Medicine - Veterinary |
POM VPSPrescription Only Medicine - Veterinary, Pharmacist, Suitably Qualified Person |
Potter-Buckya parallel grid which moves rapidly from side to side during the exposure |
Precursorsubstance from which another is formed by chemical reaction |
Prehensionpicking up or grasping food |
Prescribing cascadeLegislation controlling which medications can be given to animals |
Preservativea substance added to another to protect against spoilage during storage |
Primary beamthe beam of X-rays which emerge from the tube head during an exposure |
Primary follicleopening on the surface of the skin through which a single guard hair grows |
Prokaryote |
Proprioceptorssensory cells that receive information about the position of limbs or the tension of muscles and tendons within the body |
Prostatitisinflammation of the prostate gland |
Proteina large complex molecule made up of one or more chains of amino acids |
Proteinuriapresence of protein in the urine |
Prothrombin |
Protozoaeukaryotic single-celled organisms |
Pruritusitching |
Pseudo-focussed grid |
Pulmonarypertaining to the lungs |
Pulse ratethe number of times a pulse is felt in one minute; this should be the same as the heart rate |
Pyaemiathe presence of a pus-forming organism in the blood |
Pyothoraxpus in the pleural cavity |