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Glossary, medical terms
   Website Glossary
We have two glossaries available, this one covers medical terms used in the veterinary profession. If you would like to read the first glossary covering qualifications and abbreviations please click here.

Acute: Recent in onset

Anaesthesia: The process of preventing pain perception. General anaesthesia involves the induction of an unconscious state

Arthroscopy: Looking into a joint, typically using a rigid lensed instrument. Arthroscopic surgery involves surgical treatment via arthroscopic visualisation.

Biopsy: A piece of tissue obtained for diagnostic purposes.

Cardiology: The study of the heart.

Chronic: Long standing

Cystoscopy: Looking inside the bladder using an endoscope

Diagnostic imaging: Obtaining an image of a region of the body for purposes of diagnosis. Includes radiography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography(CT).

Endoscopy: Looking within an organ. Can be via rigid tubes, rigid lenses, fibreoptic cables or small videocamers.

Gastroenterology: The study of diseases of the oesophagus (gullet) stomach and intestines.

Myelogram: An X-ray technique in which radiographic contrast (‘dye’) is injected into the cavity surrounding the spinal cord so that the outline of the cord, and any compression from e.g.a prolapsed intervertebral disc, can be identified.

Oncology: The study and treatment of cancer

Ophthalmology: The study and treatment of eye diseases

Orthopaedics: The study and treatment of bone (and muscle) disease

Portosystemic shunts: Abnormal blood vessels that by-pass the liver and send blood from the intestines directly into the general circulation

Prognosis: A prediction of the likely outcome of a disease. ''The prognosis is guarded'', for example, means that things may not go well, but we cannot be sure; many cases do not do well.
Referral: A formal transfer of a case from one clinician to another for further investigation and management. At Davies Veterinary Specialists, all cases are referred from general practice, and the referral is requested by the referring veterinary surgeon.

Sedation: Induction of sleepiness, generally to allow procedures without resorting to general anaesthesia, or to reduce drug doses in general anaesthesia.

Thoracic: Within the chest cavity.

Ultrasonography: The use of ultrasound to image tissue for diagnosis. Most familiar in its use for pregnancy diagnosis.



    
 
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