List of medical abbreviations
This is a list of medical acronyms and abbreviations.
0–9
- # Fracture
- #NOF Fracture to the neck of the femur
- 5-HT Serotonin 5-Hydroxytryptamine
A
- AAA Abdominal aortic aneurysm
- ABD or abd [abdomen]
- ABG Arterial blood gases
- ABMT Autologous bone marrow transplantation
- ABVD doxorubicin bleomycin vinblastine dacarbazine
- a.c. before food, from Latin, ante cibum
- ACE Angiotensin converting enzyme
- ACEI Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors
- ACL Anterior cruciate ligament
- ACTH Adrenocorticoid hormone
- ADA Adenosine deaminase
- ADD Attention Deficit Disorder
- ADH Antidiuretic hormone
- ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- ADL [activities of daily living]
- ad lib [as desired]
- adm [admission]
- AF atrial fibrillation
- AFB [acid fast bacilli]
- AFO ankle-foot orthosis
- AFP Alpha-fetoprotein
- AHF Antihemophilic factor
- AHG Antihemophilic globulin
- AI Artificial insemination
- AICD Automatic implanted cardiac defibrillator
- AID Artificial insemination by donor
- AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
- AIH artificial insemination by husband
- aka [otherwise known as]
- ALG Antilymphocytic globulin
- ALL Acute lymphocytic leukemia
- ALP Alkaline phosphatase
- ALPS Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome
- ALS Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- ALS Advanced Life Support
- ALT Alanine transferase
- AMA Anti-mitochondrial Antibodies
- AMC Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita
- AMI Acute myocardial infarction
- AML Acute myelocytic leukemia
- AMP Adenosine monophosphate
- AMS Acute mountain sickness
- AMS atypical measles syndrome
- ANA Anti-nuclear antibody
- ANCA Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies
- ANF Atrial natriuretic factor
- ANP Atrial natriuretic peptide
- ANUG Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis
- AP Alkaline phosphatase
- APECED autoimmune polyendocrinopathy
- APGAR American Pediatric Gross Assessment Record (a backronym)
- APLS antiphospholipid antibody syndrome
- APSAC Anisoylated plasminogen streptokinase activator complex
- APS autoimmune polyglandular syndrome
- APTT Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time
- ARC AIDS related complex
- ARDS Acute respiratory distress syndrome
- ART antiretroviral therapy
- ARM Artificial rupture of membranes
- ASA Acetylsalicylic acid - commonly known as aspirin
- AS Aortic stenosis
- ASCAD arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease
- ASD Atrial septal defect
- ASGUS Atypical squamous glandular cells of undetermined significance
- ASCUS Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance
- ASL American sign language
- ASO Antistreptolysin O
- AST Asparagine Transferase
- ATCC American Type Culture Collection
- ATG Antithymic globulin
- AT-III Antithrombin III
- ATP acute thrombocytopenic purpura
- ATP adenosine triphosphate
- AVM Arteriovenous malformation
- AVR Aortic valve replacement
- AZT azidothymidine
B
- BA [barium]
- BAL Bronchoalveolar lavage
- BAL British anti-Lewisite
- BAO Basic acid output)
- BCG Bacille Calmette-Guerin (a tuberculosis vaccination)
- b.d. Twice daily, from Latin, bis die
- b.i.d. Twice daily, from Latin, bis in die
- BE Base excess
- BIBA brought in by ambulance
- BK Bacterium Koch
- bl cult [blood culture]
- bld [blood]
- BMC Bone mass content
- BMD Bone mass density
- BMI Body mass index
- BMR Basal metabolic rate
- BMT Bone marrow transplantation
- BNF British National Formulary
- BNP Brain natriuretic peptide
- BP Blood pressure
- BP Bipolar disorder
- BPD Bi-Parietal Diameter
- BPD Borderline personality disorder
- BPH Benign prostatic hyperplasia
- BPM Beats per minute
- BSE Bovine spongiform encephalopathy
- BSE Breast Self-Examination
- BSP Bromsulphthalein
- BUN Blood urea nitrogen
C
- CABG Coronary arterial bypass graft
- cAMP cyclic adenosine monophosphate
- Ca Carcinoma
- Ca Calcium
- CAH Chronic Active Hepatitis
- CAH Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
- CAT computed axial tomography
- CAPD Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis
- CBC Complete Blood Count
- CCF Congestive Cardiac Failure
- CCK Cholecystokinin
- CEA Carcinoembryonic antigen
- CF Cystic fibrosis
- cGMP Cyclic guanosine monophosphate
- ChE Cholinesterase
- CHE Cholinesterase
- CHF Congestive heart failure
- CI Confidence interval
- CJD Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
- CK Creatine kinase
- CLL Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- CML Chronic myelocytic leukemia
- CMML Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia
- CMV Cytomegalovirus
- COAD Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease
- COLD Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
- COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- CO Cardiac output
- CO Carbon monoxide
- COX-1 Cyclooxygenase 1
- COX-2 Cyclooxygenase 2
- CPAP Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
- CPK Creatine Phosphokinase
- CPR Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- CREST Calcinosis Raynaud Esophagus Sclerosis Teleangiectasiae
- CRF Chronic renal failure
- CRF Corticotropin Releasing Factor
- CRH Corticotropin Releasing Hormone
- CRI Chronic Renal Insufficiency
- CRP C-reactive protein
- CR Complete Remission
- CS Caesarean Section
- CsA Cyclosporin A
- CSF Cerebrospinal fluid
- CT computed axial tomography
- CVA Cerebrovascular Accident
- CVP Central Venous Pressure
- CVS
- CVID Common Variable Immunodeficiency
- CXR Chest X-ray
D
- DBP Diastolic blood pressure
- DCM Dilated cardiomyopathy
- DDD Daily Defined Doses
- DHEA-S Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate
- DHE Dihydoergotamine
- DIC Disseminated intravacular coagulation
- DPT Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus
- DiPerTe Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus
- DiTe Diphtheria Tetanus
- DM Diabetes Mellitus
- DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid
- DNR Do Not Resuscitate
- DOA Dead on arrival
- DTP Diphtheria Tetanus Pertussis
- DT Diphtheria Tetanus
- DVT Deep vein thrombosis
- DEXA Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry
E
- EACA Epsilon-aminocaproic acid
- EBM Evidence-based medicine
- ECG Electrocardiogram
- EDRF Endothelium-derived relaxing factor
- EEG Electroencepholgram
- EKG Electrocardiogram
- ECPW endoskopowa cholangiopankreatografia wsteczna
- E Erythrocytes
- ED Emergency department
- EF Ejection Fraction
- EGF Epidermal Growth Factor
- EKG Electrocardiogram
- EMLSCS Emergency Lower Segment Caesarian Section
- ELLSCS Elective Lower Segment Caesarian Section
- ELISA Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- EMC Encephalomyocarditis
- EMF Endomyocardial fibrosis
- EMG Electromyography
- ENT Ear Nose and Throat. (Otolaryngology)
- EENT [eyes, ears, nose, throat]
- EPH Edema Proteinuria Hypertension
- EPO Erythropoietin
- ERCP Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography
- ESL Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (also ESWL) - see lithotriptor
- ESR Erythocyte sedimentation rate
- ESWL Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (also ESL) - see lithotriptor
- ET Endothelin
- ETOH ethanol or ethyl alcohol
- EUS Endoscopic Ultrasonography
F
- FACC Fellow of the American College of Cardiology [1]
- FACS Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
- FDP Fibrinogen Degradation Products
- FEV1 Forced Expiratory Volume 1-second
- Fe Iron
- FFA Free fatty acids
- FFP Fresh frozen plasma
- FHR Fetal heart rate
- FHT Fetal heart tones
- FOB
- FPG Fasting plasma glucose
- FSE Fetal Scalp Electrode
- FSH Follicle stimulating hormone
- FTA-ABS Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorption
- FTA Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody
G
- G6PD Glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase
- GABA gamma-aminobutyric acid
- GCS Glasgow Coma Scale
- GDLH Glutamate dehydrogenase
- GERD Gastro-esophageal reflux disease
- GFR Glomerular filtrate rate
- GGTP Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase
- GH Growth hormone
- GHRF Growth hormone releasing factor
- GITS Gastrointestinal therapeutic system
- GIFT Gamete intrafallopian transfer
- GORD Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
- GOT glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase
- GPT glutamic-pyruvic transaminase
- Gu
- GvH Graft-versus-host
- GvHD Graft-versus-host disease
H
- HA Hypertonia arterialis
- H/A [headache]
- HAV Hepatitis A virus
- Hb Hemoglobin
- Hbg
- HBV Hepatitis B virus
- HCG Human chorionic gonadotropin
- HCM Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- HCT Hematocrit
- HCT Hydrochlorothiazide
- HCV Hepatitis C virus
- HDL High density lipoprotein
- HDL-C High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol
- HDV Hepatitis D virus
- HEV Hepatitis E virus
- HEMS Helicopter Emergency Medical Service
- HGB Hemoglobin
- Hib Haemophilus influenzae B
- HIV Human immunodeficiency virus
- HL Hepatic lipase
- HLA Human leukocyte antigens
- HOCM Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
- H & P [history & physical]
- HPI [history of present illness]
- HN
- HR Heart rate
- HRT Hormone replacement therapy
- HS [bedtime]
- HSG Hysterosalpingogram
- HSV Herpes simplex virus
- HTLV Human T-lymphotropic virus
- HTN
- HUS Hemolytic uremic syndrome
- Hx [history]
I
- I [radioactive iodine]
- IABP Intra-aortic balloon pumping
- ICD-10 International Classification of Diseases-10th Revision
- ICD Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
- ICH Intercerebral hemorrhage
- ICU Intensive care unit
- i.d. [during the day]
- I & D [incision and drainage]
- IDC Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy
- IDDM Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
- IDL Intermediate density lipoprotein
- IFG Impaired fasting glucose
- Ig Immunoglobulin
- IMM
- INF Interferon
- INR International normalized ratio
- IPPV Intermittent positive pressure ventilation
- IQ Intelligence Quotient
- ISA Intrinsic Sympathomimetic Activity
- ISDN Isosorbide dinitrate
- ISH Isolated systolic hypertension
- ITP Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
- IUCD intrauterine contraceptive device
- IUD intrauterine device
- IUD Intrauterine Death
- IU International units
- IVF In vitro fertilization
- IUI Intrauterine insemination
- IVP Intravenous pyelogram
K
- K Potassium (in German, Kalium)
- Kcal [Kilocalorie, calorie]
- kg [kilogram]
- KUB [kidney, ureter, bladder (x-ray)]
L
- LAD Left artery descendens
- LAP Leukocyte alkaline phosphatase
- LAS Lymphadenopathy syndrome
- LBBB Left bundle branch block
- LCM Lymphocytic meningitis
- LDH Lactate dehydrogenase
- LDL Low density lipoprotein
- LDL-C Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol
- L-DOPA DihydrOxyPhenylAlanine
- LES Lower esophageal sphincter
- LES Lupus erythematosus systemicus
- LE Lupus erythematosus (in German Lupus erythematodes)
- leu Leukocytes
- LFT
- LGL Lown-Ganong-Levine syndrome
- LGM Lymphogranulomatosis maligna
- LH [luteinizing hormone]
- L Leukocytes
- LIH [left inguinal hernia]
- LLL [left lower lobe]
- LLQ [left lower quadrant]
- LM Left Main
- Lp Lipoprotein
- LPL Lipoprotein lipase
- LRQ [lower righ quadrant]
- LUL [left upper lobe]
- LUQ [left upper quadrant]
- LVEDP Left ventricular end diastolic pressure
- LVEF Left ventricular ejection fraction
- LVF Left ventricular failure
- LVH Left ventricular hypertrophy
- LV Left ventricle
- LVOT Left Ventricular Outflow Track
- Ly Lymphocytes
- lytes [electrolytes]
M
- MAO-I Monoamine oxidase inhibitor
- MAS Morgani-Adams-Stokes
- MCHC Mean cell hemoglobin concentration
- MCH Mean cell hemoglobin
- MCV Mean cell volume
- MDS Myelodysplastic syndrome
- Mg Magnesium
- MI Myocardial infarction
- MIC Morbus Ischaemicus Cordis
- MIC Minimal inhibitory concentration
- MLA Myelosis Leucemica Acuta
- MM Myeloma multiplex
- mod [moderate]
- MODY Maturity Onset Diabetes in Youth
- Mo Monocytes
- MOM [milk of magnesia]
- MPV Mean platelet volume
- MRI Magnetic resonance imaging
- MR Modified release
- MRSA Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
- MSH Melanocyte stimulating hormone
- MS Multiple sclerosis
- MTX Methotrexate
- MVP Mitral valve prolapse
- MVPS Mitral valve prolapse syndrome
N
- Na Sodium (in German Natrium)
- Ne Neutrophil granulocytes
- Neo Neoplasm
- NHL Non Hodgkin Lymphoma
- NIDDM Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
- NK Natural killer cells
- NKA [no known allergies]
- NMR Nuclear magnetic resonance
- NOS Nitric oxide synthase
- NO Nitric oxide
- Npl Neoplasm
- NPO [nothing by moutn]
- n.s. not significant
- NSAID Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug
- NSE Neurospecific enolase
- NSR [normal sinus rhythm]
- NTG Nitroglycerin
- N & V [nausea & vaumiting]
- NVD nausea, vomiting & diarrhea
- NYHA New York Heart Association
O
- OA osteoarthritis
- OB-GYN Obstetrics and gynecology
- O.C.D. [Obsessive-compulsive disorder]
- O.D. right eye (Latin oculus dexter)
- O.D. overdose
- O/E on examination
- OGTT Oral glucose tolerance test
- OP [outpatient department]
- O.S. left eye (Latin oculus sinister)
P
- P Phosphorus
- p.c. After food, from Latin, post cibum
- p.o. By mouth, from Latin, per os
- PAF Platelet activating factor
- PAI-1 Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1
- PAO Peak Acid Output
- PAP Papanicolaou stain
- PA posterior-anterior
- PA Pulmonary artery
- Pap [Papanicolaou Test (pap smear]
- PAT Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia* p.c. [after meals]
- PCOS Polycystic ovarian syndrome
- PCP Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (formerly Pneumocystis carinii)
- PCR Polymerase chain reaction
- PDA Patent ductus arteriosus
- PDE Phosphodiesterase
- PDT Photodynamic Therapy
- PEEP Positive end expiratory pressure
- PEFR Peak expiratory flow rate
- PEF Peak expiratory flow
- PET Positron-emission tomography
- PFO Patent foramen ovale
- PID Pelvic inflammatory disease
- PKA Protein kinase A
- PKU Phenylketonuria
- PLT platelets
- PMH [past medical history]
- PMR Percutaneous Myocardial Revascularisation
- POX Peroxidase
- PPI
- PPRS Pharmaceutical Price Regulatory Scheme
- p.r [per rectum]
- PRA Plasma renin activity
- p.r.n. or PRN [as often as necessary]
- PRIND Prolonged Reversible Ischemic Neurologic Deficit
- prn as necessary (from Latin pro re nata)
- PSA Prostatic specific antigen
- PSP Phenylsulphtalein
- PROM Premature Rupture of Membranes
- PTA Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty
- PTCA Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
- PT Prothrombin time
- PTH Parathyroid hormone
- PTT Partial thromboplastin time
- PUD [peptic ulcer disease]
- PUVA Psoralen UV A
- PVD [peripheral vascular disease]
- PVR Pulmonary vascular resistance
- Px, px [physical examination]
- PWP Pulmonary Wedge Pressure
Q
R
- RA Refractory anaemia
- RAI Radioactive Iodine
- RBBB Right bundle branch block
- RBC Red blood cells
- RCA Right coronary artery
- RCT Randomized controlled trial
- REM Rapid eye movement
- RF Rheumatic factor
- Rh Rhesus factor
- RIA Radioimmune assay
- RIBA Radioimmunoblotting assay
- RIND Reversible ischemic neurologic deficit
- RNA Ribonucleic acid
- RNV Radionuclear Ventriculography
- R & M [
- ROM Range Of Movement
- RSV Respiratory Syncytial Virus
- RV Residual volume
- RV Right ventricle
S
- SARS Severe acute respiratory syndrome
- SBE Subacute bacterial endocarditis
- SBP Systolic blood pressure, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
- SCC Squamous cell carciona
- SCID Severe combined immunodeficiency
- s.c sub cutis
- SD Standard deviation
- SHBG Sex Hormone Binding Globuline
- SIADH Syndrome of Inadequate ADH
- SIDS Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
- SIMV Synchronized Intermittent Mechanical Ventilation
- SK Streptokinase
- SLE Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- SM latin Sclerosis multiplex - Multiple sclerosis
- SNP Sodium Nitroprusside
- SPET Single photon emission tomography
- SR Slow Release
- SROM Spontaneous rupture of membranes
- SSSS Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome
- SSS Sick Sinus Syndrome
- STD Sexually transmitted disease
- STI Sexually transmitted infection
- STH Somatotropic hormone
- SVD Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery
- SVR Systemic vascular resistance
- SVT Supraventricular tachycardia
- SXA Single energy X-ray absorptiometer
T
- TBC tuberculosis
- TB tuberculosis
- TdP Torsades de pointes
- TBI Total body irradiation
- t.d.s. Three times a day, from Latin, ter die sumendus
- TEE Transesophageal echocardiogram
- TENS Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulaton
- TGA Transposition of the great arteries
- TG Triglycerides
- Tg Thyroglobulin
- TIA Transient ischemic attack
- TIBC Total iron binding capacity
- TKVO to keep vessel open
- TLC Total lung capacity
- TNF Tumor necrosis factor
- TNM Tumor-Nodes-Metastases
- TOE Transoesophageal echocardiogram
- tPA Tissue plasminogen activator
- TRH Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone
- TS Tricuspid stenosis
- TSH Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
- TT thrombin time
- TTE Transthoracic echocardiogram
- TTP Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
- TTS Transdermal therapeutic system
- Tu Tumor
- TUR Transurethral resection
U
- UBT Urea Breath Test
- USG Ultrasonography
- USR Unheated Serum Reagin
- UVAL Ultraviolet Argon Laser
- USS Ultrasound scan
V
- VA visual acuity
- VAD vincristine adriblastine dexamethasone
- VAMP vincristine adriblastine methylprednisone
- VC Vital capacity
- V-BAC Vaginal Birth After Caesarian
- VD Vaginal Delivery
- VDRL Venereal Diseases Research Laboratory
- VEB Ventricular ectopic beat
- VRE Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci
- VF Ventricular fibrillation
- VIP Vasoactive intestinal peptide
- VLDL Very low density lipoprotein
- VMA Vanillylmandelic acid
- VSD Ventricular septal defect
- VT Ventricular tachycardia
W
Z
Non-standard
The following are considered dangerous, non-standard abbreviations because their meanings could be easily misunderstood.
The Latin origin of the abbreviations is given in italics.
- a.c. Before food, ante cibum.
- a.d. Right ear, auris dexter.
- ad. Freely as wanted, ad libitum.
- a.l. Left ear, aurix laevus.
- alt. die Every other day, alternus die.
- alt. h. Every other hour, alternus horis.
- a.m. Morning, ante meridiem.
- aq. Water, aqua.
- a.s. Left ear, auris sinister.
- a.u. Each ear, auris utro.
- aurist. Ear drops, auristillae.
- b.d. Twice a day, bis die.
- b.i.d. Twice a day, bis in die.
- gtt. Drop, gutta.
- h.s. At bedtime, hora somni
- mane In the morning, mane
- narist. Nasal drops, naristillae
- Nocte At night, nocte.
- o.c. Eye ointment, oculentum.
- o.d. Daily, omni die.
- o.d. Right eye, oculus dexter.
- o.l. Left eye, oculus laevus.
- o.m. In the morning, omni mane.
- o.n. At night, omni nocte.
- o.s. Left eye, oculus sinister.
- o.u. Each eye, oculus utro.
- p.c. After food, post cibum.
- p.m. Afternoon, post meridiem.
- p.o. Orally, per os.
- p.r. Rectally, per rectum.
- p.r.n. As occasion requires (as needed), pro re nata.
- p.v. Vaginally, per vaginum.
- q.4.h. Every four hours, quaque 4 hora.
- q.6.h. Every six hours, quaque 6 hora.
- q.d. Everyday, quaque die.
- q.d.s. Four times a day, quater die sumendus.
- q.i.d. Four times a day, quater in die.
- q.q.h. Every four hours, quarta quaque hora.
- q.s. A sufficient quantity; quantum sufficiat.
- s.i.d. Once a day, semel in die.
- Sig. or S. Write on the label, signa.
- t.d.s. Three times a day, ter die sumendus.
- t.i.d. Three times a day, ter in die.
- ut dict. or u.d. As directed, ut dictum.
- ung. Ointment, unguentum.