Thursday, 2 May 2024, 2:25 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
P

Palpation

examination using the hands to feel part of the body, for example the pulse in an artery or organs in the abdomen

Pandemic

an epidemic which occurs all over the world

Panleukopenia

decreased number of all white blood cells circulating in the blood

Papule

a small, solid bump that rises from the skin

Paracellular

between cells; paracellular transport is the route substances travel between cells 

Parallel grid

the most basic type of grid where the lead strips are parallel to each other

Parasite

an agent that lives with and at the expense of an animal host

Parasympathetic nervous system

Paratenic host

an intermediate host where no development of the parasite occurs; the paratenic host is ingested by the final host for completion of the life cycle

Parenteral

route of administration other than gastrointestinal tract

Parenteral nutrition

nutrition that is given intravenously

Parturition

the process of giving birth

Passive transport

movement of molecules down a concentration gradient without energy use

Pathogen

a disease-producing organism

Pathogenesis

 the origin and development of disease

Pathogenic

capable of causing disease

Penetrating power

the ability of X-rays to penetrate tissue i.e. their energy affected by kV setting

Penumbra

zone of unsharpness or blurring on a radiograph

 

Peripheral nervous system

part of the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord

Peristalsis

waves 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 dentition

teeth that develop in the jaw after the deciduous teeth have been shed, and remain for the whole lifetime

Permanent tissues

Cells have very limited capacity for regeneration and as such repair by replacement is the most likely response to injury.

pH

literally, ‘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

ingestion of bacteria by cells such as neutrophils and monocytes

Pharmacology

study of drugs, including their use, effects and mode of action

Phenotype

physical appearance of an animal

Phlebitis

Phospholipid

a lipid that contains a phosphate group. Phospholipids are the main form of lipid in cell membranes.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants make carbohydrates such as sugar, using water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight

Pinocytosis

the process by which fluid is taken into the cell

Plasma

the fluid part of blood that remains when a sample of blood is separated in a centrifuge

Plasma membrane

the membrane that surrounds a living cell; it consists of a double layer of phospholipids with embedded proteins

Platelets

also called thrombocytes, these are small particles derived from megakaryocytes, found in plasma, that are involved in the clotting mechanism of blood

Pleurisy

infection and inflammation of the pleural membranes. May be exudative or dry.

Pneumonia

infection and inflammation of the lungs

Pneumothorax

air in the pleural cavity

Polydipsia

excessive thirst and intake of fluid

Polyphagia

excessive appetite and intake of food

Polysynaptic reflex

a reflex that involves several intercalated neurons in the pathway

Polyuria

excessive excretion of urine

POM V

Prescription Only Medicine - Veterinary

POM VPS

Prescription Only Medicine - Veterinary, Pharmacist, Suitably Qualified Person

Potter-Bucky

a parallel grid which moves rapidly from side to side during the exposure

Precursor

substance from which another is formed by chemical reaction

Prehension

picking up or grasping food

Prescribing cascade

Legislation controlling which medications can be given to animals

Preservative

a substance added to another to protect against spoilage during storage

Primary beam

the beam of X-rays which emerge from the tube head during an exposure

Primary follicle

opening on the surface of the skin through which a single guard hair grows

Prokaryote

a cell that does not possess a true nucleus, nor does it have many or any other cell organelles, e.g. bacteria and viruses

Proprioceptors

sensory cells that receive information about the position of limbs or the tension of muscles and tendons within the body

Prostatitis

inflammation of the prostate gland

Protein

a large complex molecule made up of one or more chains of amino acids

Proteinuria

presence of protein in the urine

Prothrombin

a type of plasma protein, required for normal clotting of blood

Protozoa

eukaryotic single-celled organisms

Pruritus

itching

Pseudo-focussed grid

a type of grid where the lead strips are parallel to each other but are progressively shorter towards the edge of the grid

Pulmonary

pertaining to the lungs

Pulse rate

the number of times a pulse is felt in one minute; this should be the same as the heart rate

Pyaemia

the presence of a pus-forming organism in the blood

Pyothorax

pus in the pleural cavity