Furcula

Furcula (noun): the forked clavicular bone of a bird (the "wishbone")

Snood

Snood (noun): the skin over the beak of a turkey

Syrinx

Syrinx (noun): the vocal organ of birds

Cloaca

Cloaca (noun): a common cavity in some animal species that contains the openings of the urinary, gastrointestinal, and reproductive tracts

Pharynx

Pharynx (noun): the cavity connecting the mouth and nasal passages to the esophagus

Commissures

Commissures (noun): the points on either side of the face where the lips form a junction

Fenestration

Fenestration (noun): a perforation or opening in an anatomical structure

Mediastinum

Mediastinum (noun): the partition separating the right and left chest cavities

Philtrum

Philtrum (noun): the vertical groove on the surface of the upper lip, below the septum of the nose

Dysraphism

Dysraphism (noun): the defective fusion of a raphe

Choanae

Choanae (noun): the posterior openings of the nasal cavity that open into the nasopharynx

Achalasia

Achalasia (noun): inability of a circular muscle of sphincter to relax

Calvaria

Calvaria (noun): the dome of the skull

Fistula

Fistula (noun): a narrow passage, formed by disease or injury, connecting two structures or cavities

Nuchal

Nuchal (adjective): pertaining to the nape of the neck

Phrenic

Phrenic (adjective): pertaining to the diaphragm

Polydactyly

Polydactyly (noun): the condition of having more than the normal number of digits (usually used to describe cats with too many toes)

Anury

Anury (noun): non-production and/or non-excretion of urine

Ranula

Ranula (noun): synonym for sialocele

Acromion

Acromion (noun): the outward end of the spine of the scapula (shoulder blade)

Sialocele

Sialocele (noun): a tumor formed beneath the tongue from saliva, caused by the obstruction of a salivary gland or duct

Plexus

Plexus (noun): a network of nerves or blood vessels

Diastema

Diastema (noun): a space between two teeth

Carnassial

Carnassial (adjective): describing a tooth adapted to shearing flesh (a specific upper and lower tooth in the cat and dog)

Pancreata

Pancreata (noun): the plural of pancreas

Splanchnic

Splanchnic (adjective): pertaining to the viscera

Canaliculus

Canaliculus (noun): a small canal or passage, as in bone

Omphalocele

Omphalocele (noun): protrusion of abdominal contents at the umbilicus (often a congenital defect)

Jejunum

Jejunum (noun): the middle portion of the small intestine, between the duodenum and the ileum

Thoracocentesis

Thoracocentesis (noun): insertion of a needle into the chest cavity

Foveae

Foveae (noun): a small pit or depression in a bone or other structure (singular: fovea)

Xyphoid

Xyphoid (adjective): shaped like a sword (e.g. the caudal end of the sternum)

Manubrium

Manubrium (noun): a bone resembling a handle (e.g. the uppermost part of the sternum)

Hemiplegia

Hemiplegia (noun): paralysis of one side of the body

Isthmus

Isthmus (noun): a narrow, connecting organ or passage

Sagittal

Sagittal (adjective): relating to an anatomical plane that goes from front to back

Cheiloschisis

Cheiloschisis (noun): cleft lip

Palatoschisis

Palatoschisis (noun): cleft palate

Conchae

Conchae (noun): turbinate bones, the shape of which resemble a shell, such as the nasal turbinates

Sesamoid

Sesamoid (noun): a small, nodular mass of bone or cartilage existing in a tendon at a joint or where the tendon crosses a bony prominence

Ergot

Ergot (noun): vestigial footpad on the limb of a hooved mammal

Synostosis

Synostosis (noun): the union of two or more separate bones to form a single bone

Periosteum

Periosteum (noun): the normal tissue that closely surrounds bone

Diphyodont

Diphyodont (adjective): having two successive sets of teeth, deciduous and permanent

Ischium

Ischium (noun): one of the three major bones comprising the pelvis

Coxofemoral

Coxofemoral (adjective): of or relating to the hip

Subluxation

Subluxation (noun): the partial dislocation of a joint

Supination

Supination (noun): rotation of the hand or arm so that the palm is facing upward (or the equivalent anatomical features in domestic animals)

Pronation

Pronation (noun): rotation of the arm or hand so that the palm is facing downward (or equivalent surfaces in domestic animals)

Unguicular

Unguicular (adjective): pertaining to the claws or nails

Ungual

Ungual (adjective): pertaining to the nails, claws, or hooves

Arrector pili

Arrector pili (noun): a microscopic muscle responsible for the erection of a hair on the skin (e.g. a "goosebump")

Electrolytes

Electrolytes (noun): certain inorganic compounds that dissociate into ions in the body and play a role in the conduction of electrical currents and help to control fluid balances

Cyanosis

Cyanosis (noun): a blueness in skin or another tissue, caused by the presence of deoxygenated blood

Meninx

Meninx (noun): one of three membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (plural = meninges)

Retinaculum

Retinaculum (noun): a small structure that hooks or binds one structure to another to hold it in place

Aponeurosis

Aponeurosis (noun): a fibrous membrane that connects a muscle to bone or to fascia

Phalanx

Phalanx (noun): one of the bones of the digits (fingers or toes)

Perissodactyl

Perissodactyl (noun or adjective): a hoofed mammal with an odd number of toes

Artiodactyl

Artiodactyl (noun or adjective): a hoofed mammal with an even number of toes

Ungulate

Ungulate (noun or adjective): a hoofed mammal

Plantigrade

Plantigrade (adjective): walking on the whole sole of the foot (an abnormal position in dogs and cats)

Periople

Periople (noun): the outer layer of the hoof

Integument

Integument (noun): the skin, hair, nails, and sweat and mammary glands

Vibrissae

Vibrissae (noun): stiff, bristly hairs growing from the snout or face of an animal (whiskers)

Parenchyma

Parenchyma (noun): the fundamental, functional tissue of an organ

Stroma

Stroma (noun): the supporting framework of an organ or tissue

Chyme

Chyme (noun): a semi-fluid mass into which food is converted by gastric juices

Mesenchymal

Mesenchymal (adjective): pertaining to a particular line of cells that develop into connective tissues

Ankylosis

Ankylosis (noun): abnormal adhesion between two or more bones in a joint

Opisthotonos

Opisthotonos (noun): a muscular spasm causing the head to bend backward and the trunk to arch forward

Torticollis

Torticollis (noun): a condition in which the neck is twisted and the head is tilted to one side

Dystocia

Dystocia (noun): difficulty giving birth

Mesaticephalic

Mesaticephalic (adjective): having a medium head with dimensions between brachycephalic and dolichocephalic

Dolichocephalic

Dolichocephalic (adjective): having a long head

Brachycephalic

Brachycephalic (adjective): having a short, broad head

Anosmia

Anosmia (noun): absence or loss of the sense of smell

Pyrexia

Pyrexia (noun): fever

Hexacanth

Hexacanth (adjective): a six-hooked larval stage of tapeworms

Coenurus

Coenurus (noun): one of several stages in the development of some species of tapeworm

Dioecious

Dioecious (adjective): having separate sexes

Monoecious

Monoecious (adjective): having both male and female sex organs; able to undergo unisexual reproduction

Coelom

Coelom (noun): the body cavity of certain parasites

Microfilaremia

Microfilaremia (noun): the presence of microfilaria [larval heartworms] in the blood

Strabismus

Strabismus (noun): a deviation of one or both eyes from its normal orientation

Nystagmus

Nystagmus (noun): a rapid, involuntary oscillation of the eyeball

Emesis

Emesis (noun): the act of vomiting

Utriculus

Utriculus (noun): a sac or pouch

Paresis

Paresis (noun): a weakening or partial paralysis of the muscles

Mydriatic

Mydriatic (adjective): dilated (in reference to the pupil)

Anisocoria

Anisocoria (noun): an inequality in the size of the pupils

Obtundation

Obtundation (noun): a condition in which the patient is less responsive to external stimuli

Dysesthesia

Dysesthesia (noun): an impairment in the sense of touch

Raphe

Raphe (noun): a seamlike union between two symmetrical parts of the body (two muscles, two parts of an organ, etc.)

Allodynia

Allodynia (noun): pain resulting from a stimulus that would not normally be painful

A classic example is the pain you feel when you take a shower after a bad sunburn and the water hits your skin

Hyperalgesia

Hyperalgesia (noun): increased sensitivity to pain

Labile

Labile (adjective): able to change or adapt

Somesthetic

Somesthetic (adjective): somatosensory; related to sensory perception

Myelopathy

Myelopathy (noun): a disorder of the spinal cord or of the bone marrow

Fasciculus

Fasciculus (noun): a bundle of nerve or muscle fibers

Somatotopy

Somatotopy (noun): the correspondence between certain receptors in various parts of the body to specific regions of the spinal cord and brain (i.e. a high degree of somatotopy in a sensory system means you can locate where the stimulus is very specifically)

Ipsilateral

Ipsilateral (adjective): on the same side

Contralateral

Contralateral (adjective): on the opposite side

Lemniscus

Lemniscus (noun): a band of nerve fibers in the brain

Funiculus

Funiculus (noun): one of three major divisions of nerve fibers in the white matter of the spinal cord

Myelinated

Myelinated (adjective): surrounded by a sheath of myelin (a substance which increases the speed at which nerve impulses travel)

Nociception

Nociception (noun): the perception of pain or other injurious stimuli

Fabella

Fabella (noun): a small piece of cartilage or bone found within the tendon of the gastrocnemius muscle (a "calf" muscle - on the back of the hind limb); plural = fabellae

Sarcoptiform

Sarcoptiform (adjective): describes a group of mites that have a particular shape

Pruritis

Pruritus (noun): itching

Alopecia

Alopecia (noun): loss of hair

Myiasis

Myiasis (noun): the infestation of tissues or body cavities by the larvae of flies

Tenesmus

Tenesmus (noun): straining to defecate

We're back!

Beginning tomorrow morning, Vet Med Word of the Day is back!

Tune in for fun and interesting words that I've rediscovered during my summer studying.

And stay tuned later in the academic year for new and fascinating words from my sophomore year!

Don't let the excitement overwhelm you!

To be continued....

Vet Med Word of the Day is taking a brief hiatus - sadly, I don't learn as many neat words during the summer when I'm not in class, and life is a bit hectic at the moment. Look for VMWotD to return in July!

Metaphysis

Metaphysis (noun): the transitional zone at which the diaphysis and epiphysis come together

Epiphysis

Epiphysis (noun): the end of a long bone (such as the femur), originally separated from the diaphysis by a layer of cartilage (the "growth plate") which later becomes bone

Diaphysis

Diaphysis (noun): the shaft of a long bone (such as the femur)

Fascia

Fascia (noun): a band or sheath of connective tissue that surrounds, supports, and/or binds together organs of the body

Acetabulum

Acetabulum (noun): the socket in the hip bone which receives the head of the femur (thigh bone)

Aboral

Aboral (adjective): in a direction opposite to or away from the mouth (used mainly to indicate direction within the digestive tract)

Microphthalmia

Microphthalmia (noun): an unnatural smallness of the eyes, occurring due to disease or imperfect development

Hypsodont

Hypsodont (adjective): referring to teeth that have high crowns and short roots, as with some of the teeth of horses

Brachydont

Brachydont (adjective): referring to teeth that have short crowns and well-developed roots, as in dogs, cats, and humans

Foramen / foramina

Foramen (noun): an opening or short passage, usually used in the context of a bone; plural = foramina

Mastication

Mastication (noun): the process of chewing

Plantar

Plantar (adjective): referring to the surface of the hind paw or hoof of an animal that would correspond with the sole of the human foot

Palmar

Palmar (adjective): referring to the surface of the front paw or hoof of an animal that would correspond to the palm of a human

Ptosis

Ptosis (noun): a drooping of the upper eyelid

Auscultation

Auscultation (noun): the process of listening, via a stethoscope or other instrument, to sounds occurring within the body as a means of diagnosis

Olecranon

Olecranon (noun): the projection of the ulna (a bone of the forearm) beyond the elbow joint

Myoglobin

Myoglobin (noun): a protein similar to hemoglobin but found exclusively in muscle; has a higher affinity for oxygen than hemoglobin does, allowing myoglobin to attract oxygen away from the hemoglobin in the bloodstream and into the muscle

Gomphosis

Gomphosis (noun): an immovable joint in which one bone is fitted into the cavity of another bone; example: a tooth in its socket

Dysphagia

Dysphagia (noun): difficulty in swallowing

Deglutition

Deglutition (noun): the process of swallowing

Distal

Distal (adjective): within a limb, lying at a greater distance from the junction between the limb and the body; opposite of proximal

Proximal

Proximal (adjective): within a limb, lying toward the junction between the limb and the body; opposite of distal

Lateral

Lateral (adjective): toward the side; opposite of medial

Medial

Medial (adjective): toward the median plane that divides the body into symmetrical right and left halves; opposite of lateral

Rostral

Rostral (adjective): toward the muzzle; used for structures within the head; opposite of caudal

Caudal

Caudal (adjective): toward the tail; opposite of cranial

Cranial

Cranial (adjective): toward the head; opposite of caudal

Ventral

Ventral (adjective): toward the belly or the corresponding surface of the head or tail; opposite of dorsal

Dorsal

Sorry about the lack of words for a few days - things have been a little hectic! Here are a few words to make up for it:

Dorsal (adjective): toward the back of the trunk, or toward the corresponding surface of the head or tail; opposite of ventral

Septicemia

Septicemia (noun): the persistent presence and growth of bacteria in the blood

Bacteremia

Bacteremia (noun): the transient or temporary presence of bacteria in the blood

Zoonosis

Zoonosis (noun): a disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans

Epistaxis

Epistaxis (noun): nosebleed

Neoplasia

Neoplasia (noun): "new growth"; growth of a tumor characterized by a process of division of cells that is no longer responsive to normal growth controls

Aplasia

Aplasia (noun): congenital complete absence of an organ

Purulent

Purulent (adjective): characterized by the presence or production of pus

Lagomorph

Lagomorph (noun): a hare, rabbit, or pika

Stomatitis

Stomatitis (noun): inflammation of the mouth or oral cavity

Phagocytosis

Phagocytosis (noun): the process by which a cell engulfs a smaller cell, microorganism, cell fragment, or foreign particle, by surrounding it with an infolding of the cellular membrane

Febrile

Febrile (adjective): characterized by fever

Embolus

Embolus (noun): a mass that travels in the bloodstream and becomes lodged in some part of the vessels, blocking blood flow

Thrombus

Thrombus (noun): a blood clot formed within a vessel or a chamber of the heart, and remaining attached to the location where it originated

Oncogene

Oncogene (noun): a gene that helps to cause the initiation of a cancerous process

Edema

Edema (noun): an excessive, abnormal accumulation of fluid in tissues or a body cavity

Anisokaryosis

Anisokaryosis (noun): variation in the size of nuclei among a sample of cells

Hyperplasia

Hyperplasia (noun): an enlargement of a tissue or organ due to an increase in the number of cells comprising that tissue or organ

Hypertrophy

Hypertrophy (noun): an enlargement of a tissue or organ due to an increase in the size of the existing cells

Commensal

Commensal (adjective or noun): existing in a relationship with another organism in a way that may benefit one or both organisms but harms neither.

Example: Several bacteria are commensals of the intestinal tract of mammals.

Example: The infection was caused by infection by commensal bacteria.

Camelid

Camelid (noun): any member of the camel or llama family (including camels, alpacas, llamas, vicunas, and guanacos)

Pyrogenic

Pyrogenic (adjective): producing a fever

Note: do not confuse with "pyogenic"!

Hamartoma

Hamartoma (noun): the presence of an overabundance of normal tissue in a normal location

Cachexia

Cachexia (noun): wasting, weight loss, and loss of muscle mass, typically associated with a chronic disease process

Congenital

Congenital (adjective): present at birth; not synonymous with hereditary (some but not all congenital defects are hereditary)

Homeostasis

Homeostasis (noun): a state of internal physiologic balance or equilibrium, characterized by the tendency to correct deviations in order to return to a "set point" for one or more parameters

Ecchymosis

Ecchymosis (noun): a larger hemorrhage, up to several centimeters in diameter

Petechia

Petechia (noun): a pinpoint hemorrhage, up to 1-2 millimeters in diameter

Hemorrhage

Hemorrhage (noun, or less commonly a verb): loss of blood from within the blood vessels

Suppurative

Suppurative (adjective): characterized by the formation or presence of pus

Phlebitis

Phlebitis (noun): inflammation of a vein

Anorexia

Anorexia (noun): loss of appetite, especially as the result of disease; in vet med, anorexia has no psychological connotations

Cornified

Cornified (adjective): converted from normal tissue into a hard, keratinized tissue; cornification literally means becoming horn-like

Mucociliary escalator

Mucociliary escalator (noun): an anatomical portion of the upper respiratory system in which mucus is produced and cilia move in one direction to carry mucus and any inhaled foreign material up toward the mouth so it can be coughed out or swallowed

Pyogenic

Pyogenic (adjective): producing pus; example: a pyogenic infection is an infection that produces pus

Cerumen

Cerumen (noun): ear wax

Blepharospasm

Blepharospasm (noun): a spasm of the eyelid muscles, resulting in blinking

Choristoma

Choristoma (noun): an abnormality in which there is growth of a tissue in a location where that tissue is not usually found (i.e. ectopic tissue)

Ectopic

Ectopic (adjective): occurring in an abnormal place or position; can describe a tissue (e.g. thyroid gland tissue growing in an unusual place), an organ (e.g. a kidney not in the normal location), or a process (e.g. a pregnancy in which the fetus implants in the Fallopian tube instead of the uterus)

Atresia

Atresia (noun): the absence of an opening in a passage or cavity; can be caused by a congenital failure of the passage to open or by an abnormal closure of the passage

Catecholamine

Catecholamine (noun): a chemical that functions as a hormone or neurotransmitter and is usually associated with a response to stress; examples include epinephrine and dopamine.

Splenomegaly

Splenomegaly (noun): enlargement of the spleen

Catarrhal

Catarrhal (adjective): characterized by the production or presence of mucus

Desmosome

Desmosome (noun): a small area on the surface of a cell that functions to maintain physical continuity with a second cell

Gonitis

Gonitis (noun): inflammation of the knee

Balanoposthitis

Balanoposthitis (noun): inflammation of the penis and prepuce (the skin around the penis)

Dyspnea

Dyspnea (noun): difficulty breathing

Senescent

Senescent (adj.): growing old; aging.

Apoptosis

Apoptosis (noun): a programmed process by which cells cause their own death; commonly referred to as "cellular suicide." Apoptosis can happen in a disease process or it can happen in the normal development of an organ or tissue. Example: as a female dog finishes estrus (heat cycle), many cells in her reproductive tract undergo apoptosis, and are replaced at the start of her next estrus.

Icterus

Icterus (noun): a yellowish discoloration of the skin, whites of the eyes, and mucous membranes (e.g. gums) caused by a disease process that affects bile. Similar to jaundice, but not exactly the same.

Ataxia

Ataxia (noun): a loss of coordination of the muscles. In vet med, we usually use this to describe a loss of coordination of the limbs, i.e. as the animal walks or runs.

Theriogenology

Theriogenology (noun): the branch of veterinary medicine dealing with reproduction and obstetrics

Etiology

Etiology (noun): the cause of a disease. Example: the etiology of a wound on the skin could be trauma, bacterial infection, etc.

Furuncle

Furuncle (noun): a round, painful inflammation of the skin, usually caused by a bacterial infection.

Epitope

Epitope (noun): the part of the surface of an antigen that is actually responsible for eliciting the immune response.

Antigen

Antigen (noun): any substance that can stimulate a response by the immune system in which antibodies are produced specifically against that substance.

Palpebritis

Palpebritis (noun): inflammation of the eyelid. Synonym = blepharitis.

Presbycusis

Presbycusis (noun): a loss of hearing due to changes in the ear that occur with old age. Not be confused with presbyopia (a condition of visual impairment) or Presbyterians.

Fomite

Fomite (noun): an inanimate object that can transmit infectious organisms (e.g. bacteria, viruses, parasites, etc.) from one animal to another. Examples: blankets/bedding, brushes, toys, veterinary staff's clothing.

Welcome to...

my latest and greatest blog, Vet Med Word of the Day!

Brief explanation: as I get further into vet school, I continue to find that veterinary medicine is full of all sorts of fun, strange, and interesting words. I'd like to share a few of them.