Avian Medical Terms (Avian Health & Diseases) by Jeannine Miesle
Beauty of Birds Editorial Team
September 16, 2021 · Updated November 2, 2023 · 13 min read

Main Article: Avian Medical Terms / Health & Diseases by Jeannine Miesle, MA, Allied Member, Association of Avian Veterinarians
Terms: Directional Terms… Regions of the body … Prefixes & Suffices … Muscle Movement … Number Values … Abbreviations … Organizations … Commonly Used Medical Terms
Relevant Images: Relevant Avian Anatomy Image Gallery (NOTE: Some of the images / illustrations on this and linked pages may be too graphic for young audiences. We recommend parental supervision and approval.)
- Skeletal System … Feathers & Skin … Cloaca and Bursa of Fabricus … Muscles and Tendons, Feather Piloerection … Avian / Bird Anatomy (Wing / Head / Respiratory / Circulatory / Digestive / Skeletal / Muscular / Reproduction / Scales)
- Bird Head & Beak … Bird Eye / Ear Anatomy / Sensory Perception … Bird Brain & Nervous System
- Respiratory System … Bird Reproductive Organs … Bird Digestive System … Circulatory System – Blood & Heart … Glands … Liver & Kidneys and Surgical Instruments
- Cells, Genetics & DNA … Wound Healing
Directional terms
Aborad: away from mouth of organ
Anterior: toward the front, in front of another body part, towards the head; part closest to the head.
Bilateral: both sides
Caudal: toward back end, tail or rear, opposite of cranial, back of an organ
Cephalic: head area Contralateral: located or acting in conjunction with similar parts on opposite side of body
Cranial/Anterior: toward north wall or head
Deep: away from surface, internal
Distal: far from point of attachment, as a bone; farthest away from center of body or organ; point of origin or attachment, as a limb or bone
Dorsal: toward ceiling or back of body Inferior: lowermost, below or toward Ipsilateral/contralateral: situated on the same side/opposite side of the body
Lateral: away from midline of body or body part
Medial: toward midline of body or body part
Orad: toward the mouth
Posterior/posteriad: toward the rear of body or body part
Proximal: nearest the midline or beginning of a structure; closest to the center of the body or organ, or toward the point of origin or attachment, as a limb or bone; nearer to the point of reference
Rostral, toward the front of the head or organ
Rostral-caudal; x-ray taken from below the beak
Superficial: near the surface
Superior/external: near the surface
Ventral: toward floor or belly
Ventral-dorsal: bird on back / Dorsal-ventral: bird on breast
Regions of the body
Carpal: the wrist area
Crown: area behind the forehead to the occipital region
Crural: the leg area, as in crural feathering
Dorsum: the back or entire dorsal surface of the body
Flank/Side: lateral area posterior to side of body; extends back to the base of the tail
Forehead/frontal region: area above the cere to the crown
Inguinal: lowest lateral regions of the abdomen
Jugal area: cheek area
Jugulum: ventral, midline region of throat
Nape/upper hindneck/nuchal region: dorsal surface of the neck, from the base of the skull to the thoracic vertebrae.
Occipital: the area where the spinal column meets the base of the skull at the nape
Occiput: hindhead; back portion of bird’s crown; elongated feathers
Orbital: the eye sockets
Pilium: entire top of the head, the forehead, crown and occipital regions
Pectoral: the ventral chest and breast regions between the sternum and the shoulder
Prolateral: side area by neck; projecting from or on the side facing forward
Proventer region: above vent
Sacral: the region between the crests of the pelvis; the fused bones of the synsacrum
Rump/ uropygial area/lower back: the region that overlies the pelvic bones, between the flanks and above the tail
Combining Forms for Organs
Skeletal system:
- Bones: osteo, osse, ossi
- Joints: arthro
- Cartilage: chondro
- Bone Marrow: myelo
Muscular System
- Muscles: myo
- Fascia: fasci, fascio
- Tendons: teno, tendo, tenino
Cardiovascular system
- Heart: cardio
- Arteries: arterio
- Vein: veno, phlebo
- Blood: hemo, hemato
Lymphatic & Immune Systems
- Lymph Vessels, fluid, nodes: lympho
- Tonsils: tonsillo
- Spleen: spleno
- Thymus: thymo
Respiratory System
- Nose/nares: naso, rhino
- Pharynx: pharyngo
- Trachea: tracho
- Larynx: laryngo
- Lungs: pneumo,pneumono
Digestive System:
- Mandible: gnatho
- Mouth: oro, stomato
- Esophagus: esophago
- Stomach: gastro
- Small intestine: entero
- Large intestine: colo, colono
- Liver: heap, hepato
- Pancreas: pancreato
Urinary system
- Kidneys: hema, reno, nephro
- Ureters: ureto
- Urinary bladder: cysto
- Urethra: urethra
- Urine: urino, uro
Nervous System/Senses
- Nerves: neuro, neuri
- Brain: encephalo
- Spinal cord: myelo
- Eyes: opthalmo, oculo, opto, opti
- Sight: optico
- Ears: otic, oto, auri, auro, audito, audi
- External Ear/sound: acousto, acouso
Integumentary System
- Skin: dermato, dermo, cutaneo
Endocrine system
- Adeno: gland
- Adrenals: adreno
- Gonads: gonado
- Pineal: pineal
- Pituitary: pituito
- Thyroid: thyroid, thyro
Reproductive system:
- Testes: orcho, orchio, orchid, testiculo
- Ovaries: ovary, oophor
- Uterus: hysteron, metro, metri, metrio, utero
Muscle movement
Adduction: toward the midline
Abduction: away from midline
Extension: straightening a joint, increase angle between two bones
Flexion: closure of joint angle or reduction of the angle between two bones
Hyperflexion/hyperextension: flexed or extended too far
Supination: rotating limb/body part so that the palmar surface is turned upward: e.g., upward cupped hand
Pronation: rotating limb or body part so that palmar surface is turned downward
Number Values
1: uni, mono
2: duo, bi, dyo
3: tri
4: quadic, quadro, tetr, tetra
5: quinqu, quint, pent, penta
6: sex, hex, hexa
7: sept, septi, hept, hepta
8: octo, oct, octa
9: novem, nonus, ennea
10: deca, decem, dek, deka
Abbreviations:
ac: before meals (ante cibum)
ad lib: as much as desired (ad libitum)
ANS: autonomic nervous system
bid: twice daily (bis in die)
cal: calorie
cap: capsule
cc: cubic centimeter (same as mL)
cm: centimeter
CNS: central nervous system
ED: effective dose
g: gram
gal: gallon
GI: gastrointestinal
hr: hour
ID: intradermal
IM: intramuscular
IU: International unit
IU/L: international units per liter
IV: intravenous
kg: kilogram
LOC: level of consciousness
mg: milligram
m: meter
MED: minimal effective dose
mg: milligram
mm: millimeter
NPO: nothing by mouth (non per os)
NSAID: nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug
OTC: over the counter
oz: ounce
pc: after meals (post cibumP)
PD: polydipsia
pH: acidity and alkalinity measurement
PM: postmortem
PNS: peripheral nervous system
PO/po: orally (per os)
P r n: as needed
PU: polyuria
q: every
qd: every day
qh: every hour
q4h: every 4 hours
qid: four times daily (quarter in die)
qn: every night
qod/eod: every other day
qp: as much as desired
qt: quart
RBC: red blood cell
sid: once daily (q24h is more common for once daily
sig: let it be written as (used when writing prescriptions)
soln: solution
SQ/SC: subcutaneous
T: tablespoon/ tablet/ temperature
tid: three times daily (ter in die)
tsp: teaspoon
vol: volume
WBC: white blood cell
Organizations:
AAV: Association of Avian Veterinarians
ABA: American Birding Assn.
ABC: American Bird Conservancy
AOU: Amer. Ornithologists’ Union
NAS: Nat’l Audubon Society
WWF: World Wildlife Fund.html
Glossary of Avian Medical Terms – Prefixes and Suffixes
Main Article: Avian Medical Terms by Jeannine Miesle, MA, Allied Member, Association of Avian Veterinarians
Prefixes:
A, an, ana: without, no
Ab: away from
Ad: toward
Aer/Aero: oxygen/air
Adipo: fat
Anem: blood condition
Anti: against
Auto: self, within
Blephar: eyellids
Chezein: feces
Copr: feces
Chrome/chromo: color
Cyan: blue discoloration
Cyto: cell
Dys: bad, painful, difficult
Ecto: outside
Endo: inside, within
Epi: above
Eu: good, easy, normal
Ex,exo: without, out of, outside, away from
Extra: outside
Hetero: other, dissimilar
Histo: tissue
Homo- Same
Hyper: more than normal
Hypo: less than normal
Illi: hip
Infra: below, beneath
Inter: between
Intra: within
Isch: to hold back
Karyo-nucleus
Leu/leuko: white
Leio/lio: smooth
Lipid/lipo: fat
Meso: middle
Meta: beyond
Myco: fungus
Myelo: bone marrow, where body makes cells
Myxo: mucous, slime
Neo: new
Oligo: scant, little
Onco: tumor, mass
Onycho: nails
Pan: all
Para: alongside, associated with, closely resembling true form, beyond, outside of, faulty, irregular, abnormal, accessory to, against, apart from
Per: throughout
Peri: around, before, during, after
Phagia: eat, swallow
Poly: many, excessive
Pre: before
Post: after
Proprio: owns own
Sub: beneath, below, nearly, almost, under, less
Super, supra: above, beyond, excessive
Thelo: nipple, thin membrane
Thymo: thymus, mind, soul, emotions
Tono: tone, tension
Trans: across
Ultra: above, increased, more than normal
Vaso: vessel or duct, circulatory
“Pertaining To” suffixes, “as in”
-ac: cardiac, heart
-al: renal, kidney
-an: ovarian, ovary
-ar: lumbar, lower back
-are: alimentary, GI track
-eal: laryngeal, larynx
-ic: enteric, intestines
-ous: skin
-tic: nephrotic, kidneys
-prandial: a meal
Suffixes:
-algia: pain
-ase: enzyme ending
-blast: immature stage in cellular development before appearance of definitive characteristics of the cell;
-centesis: surgical puncture to remove fluid or gas
-cyte: cell -dynia: pain
-ectasis: distending, stretching
-ectomy: surgical procedure to remove organ
-emia: blood condition
-gram: record of
-graph: recording instrument
-graphy: written, studied about, recording procedure
-iasis: parasite infestation; name preceeds suffix, e.g., trichomoniasis
-itis: inflammation
-lith: body or mass
-lithiasis: presence of stones
-lysis: break down, loosen, decomposition
-logy: study of
-malacia: abnormal softening
-megaly: enlargement
-mycin: substance derived from bacteria
-oma: tumor, neoplasm, or specific tissue which precedes suffix, e.g., lipomas, fatty tumor
-ometry: measurement
-osis:/otic: increased number, abnormal actions, conditions or states, disorders
-osis: disease caused by organism whose name precedes it, e.g., salmonellosis
-pathy: disease or condition of
-penia: deficiency, reduced number
-pexy: suture to stabilize, e.g., gastropexy: suture to abdominal wall
-philia: attraction for, increased numbers
-plasia: formation, development, growth of tissue and cell numbers; change is size or tissue and cells; describes problems with tissue formation
-plasty: surgical repairs, e.g., rhinoplasty, repair of nose
-poietic/poiesis: formation
-ptosis: drooping, dropping down, e.g., prolapsis
-rrhage/rrhagia: bursting forth
-rrhaphy: to suture
-rrhea: flow, discharge
-rrhexis: rupture
-sclerosis: abnormal hardening
-scope: procedure to visually examine
-stomy: incision, cut into
-thymia: condition of the mind
-trophy: formation, development, increase in size of tissue
-tropic: having an affinity for or attraction to
-um: structure
-uro,-uria: of urinary tract, urine’
NEED A VET?
USA: Find Your Local Avian Veterinarian
by Jeannine Miesle, MA Allied Member, Association of Avian Veterinarians
Index of Bird Diseases … Symptoms and Potential Causes … Bird Species and Diseases They are Most Susceptible to
Avian (Bird) Anatomy – Images of Bird Skeletal System by Jeannine

Main Article: Avian Medical Terms / Health & Diseases by Jeannine Miesle, MA, Allied Member, Association of Avian Veterinarians …
Avian Anatomy Image Gallery (NOTE: Some of the images / illustrations on this and linked pages may be too graphic for young audiences. We recommend parental supervision and approval.)
- Skeletal System (scroll down) … Feathers & Skin … Cloaca and Bursa of Fabricus … Muscles and Tendons, Feather Piloerection
- Bird Head & Beak … Bird Eye / Ear Anatomy / Sensory Perception … Bird Brain & Nervous System
- Respiratory System … Bird Reproductive Organs … Bird Digestive System … Circulatory System – Blood & Heart … Glands … Liver & Kidneys / Surgical Instruments
- Cells, Genetics & DNA … Wound Healing
SKELETAL SYSTEM
Long bone anatomy https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-ap/chapter/introduction-to-bone/

Long bone anatomy
and

Network of trabiculae Internal Anatomy of a long bone with trabiculae, medullary bone https://humanbiology.pressbooks.tru.ca/chapter/13-4-structure-of-bone/

Skeleton of a bird https://veteriankey.com/basic-avian-anatomy-and-physiology/

Bones of the Wing and Shoulder https://www.pinterest.com/pin/503277327093711879/ and https://www.pinterest.com/pin/155303887213987672


Furcula, Top arrow; Keel bone, bottom arrow https://slideplayer.com/slide/9208738/

Coracoid Bone http://vireo.ansp.org/bird\_academy/bird\_glossary.html

Synsacrum http://people.eku.edu/ritchisong/skeleton.html

Thoracic vertebrae or notarium https://birdsofseabrook.app.clemson.edu/topics/skeleton.html

Parrot / Bird Leg and Foot anatomy By Darekk2 – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30700010

Bird Wing: Alula, phalanges, metacarpals https://www.researchgate.net/

ALULA BONES featheredphotography.com/blog/2013/03/23/the-alula-bastard-wing-of-a-kestrel-in-flight/


Cross-section of a hollow (pneumatic) bird bone showing trabiculae http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=bird+bones&view=detailv2&&&id=91B06AEE2221B40D551E5A4041A 227A014E3973F&selectedIndex=15&ccid=E4G0jcob&simid=607992470008564468&thid=JN.617wTVIMlXkNb wGSNBbw0Q&ajaxhist=0

Humerus and femur—long bones which are filled with air http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=bird+wing+bones+Lafebervet.com&view=detailv2&&&id=715D34A6FE 156158ADE844225CF340031C18DBB9&selectedIndex=596&ccid=9Hr8ndae&simid=608035411092899959&t hid=JN.ys86xutpyZTflZGguXXrWg&ajaxhist=0

Keel bone http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=bird+keel+bone&view=detailv2&&&id=BD09F2AD14BA4565A5D117D2F577D202 31C051D6&selectedIndex=137&ccid=bFqQUfvD&simid=608018458822184003&thid=HN.608018458822184003

Bone Condyles on human knee http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=condyle&view=detailv2&&&id=70682F4759035E7A7E0537B11673231 F801A44EF&selectedIndex=59&ccid=XjCqX3Tn&simid=608040861387195128&thid=JN.HB9j0VqWpn+Apr/fd cVtkg

Fracture types http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=bird+glottis&view=detailv2&&&id=19F36453DEA8572015FDD0ED95C 7EAEC41AE09CD&selectedIndex=0&ccid=ogpWS2Ug&simid=608004298336109970&thid=JN.DAtJUsry08c% 2fjgBQEtA7%2fw&ajaxhist=0

Exostosis http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=exostosis&view=detailv2&&&id=48DF5CE376D8189A333F53F3AA297A950FA16 19C&selectedIndex=2&ccid=Wt0Ku6py&simid=607997812942834644&thid=JN.qKywVta8Hcw9rdqU4on3Rg&ajaxhist=0
Involucrum in bone http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=involucrum&view=detailv2&&qpvt=involucrum&id=4741E54CC1CFE06 448E9E33A49BC6A6C6FF91F53&selectedIndex=1&ccid=Mbh3WhMe&simid=607988591657748536&thid=JN .fiakvC375hG34%2fU1M7kINw&ajaxhist=0

Zygodactyl foot numbering and Hallux toe http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=zygodactyl+bird+feet&view=detailv2&&&id=8B485B4B625C74DC5D17990450BC 3C6062611170&selectedIndex=0&ccid=KKOk2N3z&simid=608021873345956061&thid=JN.xQoKMos3%2fS3D043UUz% 2blkw&ajaxhist=0 1 is the Hallux toe

Avian (Bird) Anatomy – Images of Cloaca and Bursa of Fabricus

Main Article: Avian Medical Terms / Health & Diseases by Jeannine Miesle, MA, Allied Member, Association of Avian Veterinarians …
Avian Anatomy Image Gallery (NOTE: Some of the images / illustrations on this and linked pages may be too graphic for young audiences. We recommend parental supervision and approval.)
- Skeletal System … Feathers & Skin … Cloaca and Bursa of Fabricus (scroll down)… Muscles and Tendons, Feather Piloerection
- Bird Head & Beak … Bird Eye / Ear Anatomy / Sensory Perception … Bird Brain & Nervous System
- Respiratory System … Bird Reproductive Organs … Bird Digestive System … Circulatory System – Blood & Heart … Glands … Liver & Kidneys / Surgical Instruments
- Cells, Genetics & DNA … Wound Healing
CLOACA AND BURSA OF FABRICUS
Compartments of the cloaca From Manual of Ornithology, Porter and Lynch

Bursa of Fabricus http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=bursa+of+fabricius&view=detailv2&&qpvt=bursa+of+fabricius&id=8CA6 A086DF1DD9D20845068B4977CF86D213FF2C&selectedIndex=4&ccid=UUSbFbP0&simid=60799124163664 4044&thid=JN.BU2QCMn5ANSNr5DdhgoT1g&ajaxhist=0

Cloacal prolapse http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=cloaca+in+birds&view=detailv2&&&id=06A71A5940A86522809F57674 CB6316EEC97532E&selectedIndex=0&ccid=t/Fh3NfN&simid=608019408007463541&thid=HN.60801940800

Cloacal papilloma http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=bird+glottis&view=detailv2&&&id=19F36453DEA8572015FDD0ED95C 7EAEC41AE09CD&selectedIndex=0&ccid=ogpWS2Ug&simid=608004298336109970&thid=JN.DAtJUsry08c% 2fjgBQEtA7%2fw&ajaxhist=0

Avian (Bird) Anatomy – Images of Cells, Genetics and DNA by Jeannine

Main Article: Avian Medical Terms / Health & Diseases by Jeannine Miesle, MA, Allied Member, Association of Avian Veterinarians …
Avian Anatomy Image Gallery (NOTE: Some of the images / illustrations on this and linked pages may be too graphic for young audiences. We recommend parental supervision and approval.)
- Skeletal System … Feathers & Skin … Cloaca and Bursa of Fabricus … Muscles and Tendons, Feather Piloerection
- Bird Head & Beak … Bird Eye / Ear Anatomy / Sensory Perception … Bird Brain & Nervous System
- Respiratory System … Bird Reproductive Organs … Bird Digestive System … Circulatory System – Blood & Heart … Glands … Liver & Kidneys and Surgical Instruments
- Cells, Genetics & DNA (scroll down) … Wound Healing
Cells, Genetics & DNA
Apoptosis http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=apoptosis&view=detailv2&&qpvt=apoptosis&id=87DD6D34BBDD0E10 4CDD77C8998C91A5B5229CF2&selectedIndex=12&ccid=01p%2flKkF&simid=608035728922906593&thid=J N.YtSu9Vh%2fPnM8GFT31ZI7pg&ajaxhist=0

Difference between apoptosis and necrosis http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=apoptosis&view=detailv2&&&id=A9A1C49CA87AA1F93B434602D093 5421FB0C53EE&selectedIndex=111&ccid=7UoD0jTW&simid=608035578594593976&thid=JN.P9LqD39CSqg ZSCvV3cIxgA&ajaxhist=0 85

Cell structure and mitochondria http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=mitochondria+diagram&view=detailv2&&&id=D8C8767F423E6634DA1BFCEB311 8C96A6F38DCAE&selectedIndex=54&ccid=GMf4v0Ov&simid=608004757919108313&thid=JN.sBGxVCEMe3oOmSEy16 Kp7A&ajaxhist=0

Mast Cells and allergy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mast\_cell#/media/File:Mast\_cells.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mast\_cell

Avian (Bird) Anatomy – Images of Bird Glands by Jeannine Miesle

Main Article: Avian Medical Terms / Health & Diseases by Jeannine Miesle, MA, Allied Member, Association of Avian Veterinarians …
Avian Anatomy Image Gallery (NOTE: Some of the images / illustrations on this and linked pages may be too graphic for young audiences. We recommend parental supervision and approval.)
- Skeletal System … Feathers & Skin … Cloaca and Bursa of Fabricus … Muscles and Tendons, Feather Piloerection
- Bird Head & Beak … Bird Eye / Ear Anatomy / Sensory Perception … Bird Brain & Nervous System
- Respiratory System … Bird Reproductive Organs … Bird Digestive System … Circulatory System – Blood & Heart … Glands (scroll down)… Liver & Kidneys and Surgical Instruments
- Cells, Genetics & DNA … Wound Healing
GLANDS
Uropygial gland
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=uropygial+gland&view=detailv2&&&id=AF0995C88492FF77F9B47965 0D9D5BEA2A77DCC3&selectedIndex=31&ccid=syWYFrYT&simid=608037897862316118&thid=JN.9%2fMG4 %2fxSTJ8qdMi0F96CSg&ajaxhist=0

Cockatiel uropygial gland. (Miesle)

Salt glands in a water bird http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=lymph+nodes+in+birds&view=detailv2&&&id=C82CB6EF3224022ACAB74597FC DC70D21106BAC1&selectedIndex=10&ccid=mR9Xfcfr&simid=608052092744174147&thid=JN.gMK%2fx8gj15QF0GyH5 6083w&ajaxhist=0 92

Salt glands and ducts http://bio1151b.nicerweb.com/Locked/media/ch44/44\_07BirdSaltExcretGlands.jpg

Jeannine Miesle, M.A., M.Ed, Allied Member, Association of Avian Veterinarians is an important contributor to Beauty of Birds. Jeannine has done considerable writing, proofreading and editing for journals and newsletters over the years. She had taught English and music in the schools and presently is an organist at Bethany Church in West Chester, Ohio. She also administrates a Facebook group, The Science of Avian Health.
Jeannine takes in rescued cockatiels and presently has twelve birds. When they come to her they remain as part of her flock.
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