"c" Vocab For 'anatomy And Physiology Of Companion Animals'

Front 1

calcaneal tuberosity

Back 1

Large process of the fibular tarsal bone that projects upward and backward; commonly referred to as the point of the hock; site of attachment of the gastrocnemius (calf) muscle; equivalent to the human heel.

Front 2

calcifies

Back 2

Hardening of organic tissue by the deposit of lime and calcium salts.

Front 3

calcitonin

Back 3

The hormone secreted by the thyroid gland that prevents the level of calcium in the blood from getting too high.

Front 4

callus

Back 4

The healing tissue between the ends of the fractured bone that is eventually replaced by true bone as the fracture heals.

Front 5

calorigenic

Back 5

Heat producing

Front 6

canal of Schlemm

Back 6

The structure that drains aquesous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye. It is located out at the edge of the anterior chamber where the iris and the cornea meet.

Front 7

canaliculi

Back 7

Tiny channels through the matrix of bone. Threadlike projections from osteocytes communicate with each other and with blood vessels through the canaliculi.

Front 8

cancellous bone

Back 8

"Spongy" bone. A form of bone compposed of seemingly randomly arranged "spicules" of bone separated by spaces filled with bone marrow. Appears spongelike to the naked eye. Found in the ends (epiphyses) of long bones and the interiors of short bones, flat bones, and irregular bones.

Front 9

cancer

Back 9

The progressive, uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells or neoplasms that turn normal somatic cells into milignant ones. Ultimately, if left untreated, the cancer will metastasize, causing the disease to spread to other systems or areas of the body, leading to an eventual death.

Front 10

canine parvoviral enteritis

Back 10

Caused by the canine parvovirus, this infectious disease has an extremely high mortality rate in puppies. Infections occurring in utero are known to cause acute myocarditis and overall poor health in the litter. Because it tends to attack cells in the mitotic phase, rapidly dividing epithelial tissue is particularly affected by parvoviral infections. Vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stool, and dehydration are clinical signs of disease. An immunization is available.

Front 11

canine tooth

Back 11

Sharp, pointed tooth between the most caudal incisor and the most rostral premolar.

Front 12

cannon bone

Back 12

The large metacarpal and metatarsal bones of the horse.

Front 13

canthus

Back 13

The corner of the eyelids where they come together. Each eye has a medial and a lateral canthus.

Front 14

capacitation

Back 14

The process spermatozoa undergo in the female reproductive tract before contact with the ovum that increases their fertility. Part of the process exposes the digestive enzymes in the acrosome. This helps the cell penetrate through the layers surrounding the ovum.

Front 15

capillary refill time (CRT)

Back 15

The time it takes for mucous membranes to return to their normal pink color after being pressed to a white color. If the return to normal color is too slow or fast, it can indicate a diseased state.

Front 16

capsular space

Back 16

The space between the visceral and parietal layers of Bowman's capsule.

Front 17

carbohydrate metabolism

Back 17

Metabolic processes that store and release energy contained whitin carbohydrates for the purposes of growth, repair, and normal function of the body.

Front 18

carbohydrates

Back 18

One of teh essential nutrients necessary for all ife functions. They are a quick source of energy and may be stored in the body as glycogen; sugars.

Front 19

carboxypeptidase

Back 19

Protease secreted in an inactive form from the pancreas and activated by trypsin.

Front 20

carninogenic

Back 20

Having those properties that cuase cancer.

Front 21

cardia

Back 21

The part of the stomach where the esophagus enters.

Front 22

cardiac muscle

Back 22

Striated, involuntary muscle that is found exclusively in the heart. Cardiac muscle is controlled by the autonimic nervous syste. It has one centrally located nucleus and intercalated disks that form special connections between the muscle branches.

Front 23

cardiomyopathy

Back 23

Disease of the myocardium (heart muscle)

Front 24

carnassial teeth

Back 24

Large rostral molar and last premolar in the dog that have deep roots.

Front 25

carnivore

Back 25

An animal whose diet is primarily meat.

Front 26

carpal bones

Back 26

The bones of the carpus. Consist of two parallel rows of short bones lovated between the distal ends of the radius and ulna and the proximal ends of the metacarpal bones.

Front 27

carpus

Back 27

The joint composed of the carpal bones. Referred to as the "knee"of the horse and the "wrists" of humans

Front 28

carrier proteins

Back 28

Any protein that facilitates diffusion of a specific molecule through the cell membrane.

Front 29

cartilage

Back 29

An opaque, dense connective tissue composed of a relatively small number of cells that are contained within a nonliving matrix. Cartilage absorbs shock anmd protects the epiphysial ends of bones. Cartilage is not innervate or vascularized, which makes it reistant to pain but also to healing. It is found in joints, body structures such as the ears and nose, the costal cartilage of the ribcage, and the fetal skeleton.

Front 30

cartilaginous joint

Back 30

A joint in which the bones are united by cartilage; also called an amphiarthrosis. Only a slight rocking motion is permitted between the bones.

Front 31

caruncle

Back 31

Numerous mushroomliek structures int he linging of teh uterus of ruminant animals. Thye join with the cotryledons of the placenta to form placental attachment sites called placentomes.

Front 32

catabolism

Back 32

The breaking down of nutrients into smaller and simpler materials for use by the cell to release energy; the opposite of anabolism.

Front 33

catagen phase

Back 33

The transitional phase between anagen and teolgen phases of the hair growth cycle.

Front 34

catalse

Back 34

An enzyme found in almost all cells the breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.

Front 35

catalysts

Back 35

Substances that induce chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy needed.

Front 36

catecholamines

Back 36

The group of neurotransmitters that includes norepinephrine, epinephrine, fopamine, and other neurotransmitters with similar chemical properties.

Front 37

cations

Back 37

Positively charges ions.

Front 38

caudal

Back 38

A directional term meaning toward the tail end of an animal.

Front 39

cecocolic orifice

Back 39

The opening between the cecum and the colon; most deceloped int he horse and other nonruminant herbivores.

Front 40

cecum

Back 40

The blind pouch leading off from where the ileum meets the colon; in nonruminant herbivores the cecum can be very developed into a base, body, and apex (tip).

Front 41

cell

Back 41

The most basic structural unit of all animals and plants. Cells make up all tissues of an organism and perform all of the functions by which life is defined, including growth, reproduction, and metabolism.

Front 42

cell adhesion molecules (CAM's)

Back 42

Glycoproteins that aid not only in the bonding of cells but also in lubricating the movement of one cell past another. They also help to transport specialized cells to areas of need.

Front 43

cell-mediated immune responses

Back 43

Response of the body's cells to regulate the destrction of infectious bacteria and viruses during specific immune responses.

Front 44

cell-mediated immunity

Back 44

The portion of the immune system that produces "killer" cells that directly attack foreign invaders.

Front 45

cell membrane

Back 45

The selectively permeable outer membrane of teh cell that is composed of a phospholipid bilayer, protein, and cholesterol; also called plasma membrane or plasmalemma.

Front 46

cell metabolism

Back 46

Functions that break down nutrients, prduce ATP, use ATP, and create complex molecules from simple ones.

Front 47

cellular respiration

Back 47

The oxidation of organic material to yield energy, carbon dioxide, and water.

Front 48

cellulase

Back 48

An enzyme that breaks down the sugar cellulose

Front 49

cellulose

Back 49

Ruminant animals must convert this matter into volatile fatty acids to derive sustenance from it. This is accomplished through microbial fermentaion. Cellulose is not digested by carnivores and most omnivores.

Front 50

central nervous system (CNS)

Back 50

The brain and spinal cord

Front 51

cental sulcus

Back 51

The cental depression of the frog in the equine hoof

Front 52

centriole

Back 52

A tubular organelle composed of nine triplets of microtubules that aids in the process of cell division. Centrioles split in two and migrate to opposite poles of a divinging cell to organize the spindle fibers, enabling the cell to divide in two.

Front 53

centromere

Back 53

Also called a kinetochore; the protein disk that holds a pair of chromatids together as a chromosome and then holds that chromosome to a spindle fiber during cell division.

Front 54

centrosome

Back 54

An area of condensed cyroplasm located near the nucleus that contains the centriole(s) of the cell.

Front 55

cerebellar dysfunction

Back 55

Caused by inflammation, underdecelopment, or degeneration of the cerebellum, the disease is characterized by an exaggerated and awkwaed gait usually resulting from hyperextension of the legs. Cerebellar dysfunction does not exhibit any degree of paralysis, partial or complete.

Front 56

cerebellum

Back 56

Second largest component of the brain; allows the body to have coordinated movement, balance, posture, and complex reflexes.

Front 57

cerebral cortex

Back 57

Gray matter that makes up the outer layer of the cerebrum.

Front 58

cerebral hemispheres

Back 58

The two halves of the cerebrum.

Front 59

cerebrospinal fluid

Back 59

Fluid that bathes and protects the brain and spinal cord from the hard surface of the skull and spinal vertebrae.

Front 60

cerebrum

Back 60

That portion of the brain responsible for functions most commonly associated with "higher-order" behaviors (learning, intelligence, awareness); receives and interprets sensory information, initiates conscious (voluntary) nerve impulses to skeletal muscles, and integrates neuron activity that is normally associated with communication, expression of emotional responses, learning, memory and recall, and other behaviors associated with consciuos activity.

Front 61

cervical vertebrae

Back 61

The bones of the neck portion of the spinal column.

Front 62

cervix

Back 62

The sphincter muscle "valve" between the uterus and the vagina; controls access to the lumen of the uterus from the vagina. It is normally closed except during breeding and parturition.

Front 63

chemical contral systems

Back 63

The respiratory control system that monitors the pH of the blood and its content of O2 and CO2. If any of the measured calues varies outside preset limits, the chemical contral system initiates changes in the breathing pattern to bring them back into balance.

Front 64

chemical digestion

Back 64

The breakdown of food by action of chemicals or enzymes.

Front 65

chemical signaling

Back 65

The specific interaction of hormones and neurotransmitters to cell surfaces for the purpose of changing cell activity.

Front 66

chemotaxis

Back 66

The movement of white blood cells into an area of inflammation in response to chemical mediators released at the site by injured tissue or other white blood cells.

Front 67

chestnut

Back 67

Believed to be the vestigial remnants of the carpal and tarsal bones, they are horny, keratinized growths located on the medial forearm and hock of horses.

Front 68

chief cells

Back 68

Cells in the stomach that produce the enzyme precursor pepsinogen.

Front 69

choanae

Back 69

Two internal nares that open from the nasal chambers into the roof of the mouth.

Front 70

cholecystokinin (CCK)

Back 70

A hormone released by the duodenum when chyme enters from the stomach. It slows gastric emptying and motility while increasing intestinal motility. It also stimulates the pancreas to release digestive enzymes into the duodenum.

Front 71

cholesterol

Back 71

A steroid alcohol that is found in many fat-based tissues throughout the body. Cholesterol can be synthesized in the body or obtained through diet.

Front 72

cholinergic neurons

Back 72

Neurons that secrete acetylcholine as their neurotransmitter.

Front 73

cholinergic receptors

Back 73

Receptors for acetylcholine; may be muscarinic or nicotinic.

Front 74

chondroblasts

Back 74

Fixed cells that form cartilage.

Front 75

chondrocyte

Back 75

Mature cartilage cell.

Front 76

chondroitin sulfate

Back 76

A glycosaminoglycan found in cartilage.

Front 77

chondronectin

Back 77

An adhesive glycosaminoglycan found in cartilage.

Front 78

chordae tendineae

Back 78

Fine, threadlike cords that connect two atrioventricular valves to the appropriate papillary muscles in the ventricles.

Front 79

chorion

Back 79

Part of the placenta; the outermost layer that attaches to the uterine lining. The chorion is linked to the fetus by the umbilical cord.

Front 80

chorionic gonadotropin

Back 80

A hormone produced by the placenta of a pregnant animal.

Front 81

choroid

Back 81

A portion of the uvea, or middle vascular layer, of the eye. The choroid consists mainly of pigment and blood vessels and is lovated between the sclera and the retina.

Front 82

chromatids

Back 82

Stands of genetic material that, when joined together with another chromatid by a centromere, form a chromosome.

Front 83

chromosomes

Back 83

Threadlike accumulations of DNA in the nuclei of cells that are particularly visible during mitosis. The DNA of chromosomes contains the genetic material of the cell. The number of chromosomes is constant withing a given species.

Front 84

chyle

Back 84

The "milky" appearing lymph from the intestines consisting of primarily small molecules of absorbed fats.

Front 85

chylomicrons

Back 85

Microscopic particles of fat found in chyle and blood. Their numbers are highest after a meal.

Front 86

chyme

Back 86

The semifluid, partially digested food that leaves the stomach and enters the duodenum.

Front 87

chymotrypsin

Back 87

Protease secreted in an inactive form from the pancreas and activated by trypsin.

Front 88

cilia

Back 88

Hairlike processes of the luminal surface of cells that assist in the movement of mucus, fluid, and solid material across the cell surface.

Front 89

ciliary body

Back 89

A portion of the uvea, or middle vascular layer, of the eye. The ciliary body is a ring-shaped structure located immediately behind the iris. It contains the ciliary muscles that adjust the shape of the lens and the cells that produce aqueous humor.

Front 90

ciliary muscle

Back 90

Multiunit smooth muscles of the ciliary body that adjust the shape of the eye's lens.

Front 91

circular muscle

Back 91

The smooth muscle in the muscle layer of the gastrointestinal tract that encircles the organ and causes mixing or segmental contractions; plays a role in peristalsis; concentrated circular muscle compose the sphincters.

Front 92

circulating pool of neutrophils

Back 92

Neutrophils found in the peripheral blood flowing through the center of blood vessels.

Front 93

circumduction

Back 93

A joint motion whereby the distal end of an extremity moves in a circle.

Front 94

cisternae

Back 94

A reservoir that stores fluid.

Front 95

citric acid cycle

Back 95

A complicated metabolic pathway that is included in the metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates and that involves the oxidation of pyrucic acid and the release of energy. Other terms used are the Krebs cycle and the tricarboxylic acid cycle.

Front 96

claws

Back 96

Accessory appendages of the integumentary system present mainly in carnivores for the purpose of grasping prey and self-defense.

Front 97

cleavage

Back 97

The process of very rapid cell division after an ovum has been fertilized. The cells divide so rapidly that they do not have time to grow sppreciably between divisions. The number of cells increases rapidly, but the overall size of the cell mass does not invrease much.

Front 98

clitoris

Back 98

One of the structures of the culca of the femal. Homologous to the penis of the make, the clitoris contains erectile tissue and is richly supplied with sensory nerve endings.