Abbrev
Abbrev
Abbrev
Meaning
adenosine
A
apical
A or Ala -- alanine
C or Cys -- cysteine
D or Asp -- aspartic acid
E or Glu -- glutamic acid
F or Phe -- phenylalanine
H or His -- histidine
I or Ile -- isoleucine
K or Lys -- lysine
L or Leu -- leucine
M or Met -- methionine
N or Asn -- asparagine
O or Pyl -- pyrrolysine
P or Pro -- proline
Q or Gln -- glutamine
R or Arg -- arginine
S or Ser -- serine
T or Thr -- threonine
U or Sec -- selenocysteine
V or Val -- valine
W or Trp -- tryptophan
Y or Tyr -- tyrosine
A1C glycosylated hemoglobin (hemoglobin A1c)
AAA abdominal aortic aneurysm (pronounced "triple-A")
AAPMC antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis
AAT activity as tolerated
AAL anterior axillary line
AAOx3 awake, alert, and oriented, times 3 (i.e., to person, place, and time)
A/B acid-base ratio
abdomen
ab
abdominal
Ab antibody
AB abortion
airway, breathing, circulation
ABC
aspiration biopsy cytology
airway, breathing, circulation, disability
ABCD asymmetry, borders, color, diameter (features on considering "Is it a malignant melanoma?")
ABCD rating (a staging system for prostate cancer)
ABCs
airway, breathing, circulation, etc. Refers to priority of needs in emergency situations. Exact spell-
ABCDs
out and details after "C" vary by institution, but the "ABCs" theme is recurrent.
ABCDEs
abdomen
Abd
abdominal
ABE acute bacterial endocarditis
ABG arterial blood gas
acquired brain injury
ABI
ankle brachial pressure index
ABMT autologous bone marrow transplantation
Abn abnormal
ABO Landsteiner's blood grouping system
ABPA allergic broncho-pulmonary aspergillosis
ABPI ankle brachial pressure index
Doxorubicin (adriamycin), bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine (first-line treatment for Hodgkin's
ABVD
lymphoma)
ABX antibiotics
a.c.
before a meal (from Latin ante cibum)
AC
abdominal circumference
AC
assisted controlled ventilation
ACB aortocoronary bypass
AC&BC air conduction and bone conduction, as in Weber test
Acc accommodation (eye)
ACCU acute coronary care unit
ACD anemia of chronic disease
ACDF anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
Ace acetone
ACE angiotensin-converting enzyme
ACEI angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor(s)
ACh acetylcholine
AChE acetylcholine esterase
ACL anterior cruciate ligament
ACLS advanced cardiac life support
altered conscious state
ACS
acute coronary syndrome
ACTH adrenocorticotropic hormone
ACU ambulatory care unit
ad. right ear (from Latin auris dexter)
Alzheimer's disease
AD acute distress
right ear (from Latin auris dexter)
ADA adenosine deaminase
ADC AIDS dementia complex
ADCC antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity
ADD attention deficit disorder
ADH antidiuretic hormone
ADHD attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
ADHR autosomal-dominant hypophosphatemic rickets
ADLs activities of daily living
ad lib as desired (from Latin ad libitum)
adm admission
Adn adnexae (for example, adnexae of the uterus)
ADP adenosine diphosphate
ad part. dolent to the painful parts (from Latin ad partes dolentes)
ADR adverse drug reaction
automated external defibrillator
AED
antiepileptic drug(s)
AEM ambulatory electrocardiogram monitoring
atrial fibrillation
AF atrial flutter
amniotic fluid
AFB acid-fast bacilli
AFI amniotic fluid index
AFib atrial fibrillation
AFO ankle-foot orthosis
AFP alpha-fetoprotein
Ag antigen
anti-gliadin antibodies
AGA
appropriate gestational age (see birth weight)
AGC atypical glandular cells
AGES criteria age, grade, extent, size (for tumors)
AGN acute glomerulonephritis
a.h. every other hour (from Latin alternis horis)
AHF antihemophilic factor
AHG antihemophilic globulin
AHH aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase
AHR airway hyper-reactivity
artificial insemination
AI
aortic insufficiency
AICD automated implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
AID artificial insemination by donor
AIDS acquired immune deficiency syndrome
AIH artificial insemination by husband
AIHD artificial insemination by pooled husband and donor semen
acute infectious and parasitical diseases
AIPD autoimmune progesterone dermatitis
acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
AIIRB angiotensin II receptor antagonist
AIN acute interstitial nephritis
AIR Anterior interval release
AIS adenocarcinoma in situ
aka also known as
above-knee amputation
AKA
also known as
ALA aminolevulinic acid
Alc alcohol
ALF assisted living facility
ALG antilymphocytic globulin
ALI acute lung injury
Alk phos alkaline phosphatase (sometimes abbreviated as ALP)
acute lymphoblastic leukemia
ALL
allergies
ALP alkaline phosphatase (sometimes abbreviated as Alk phos)
ALPS autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
ALS
advanced life support
ALT alanine transaminase
altern. d. every other day (from Latin alterno die)
advanced maternal age (35 years or greater)
against medical advice
AMA
antimitochondrial antibody
American Medical Association
Amb ambulate
AMC arthrogryposis multiplex congenita
AMI acute myocardial infarction
AML acute myeloid leukemia
AMP adenosine monophosphate
ampule
Amp
ampere
AMPArecepto
alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor of the brain
r
acute mountain sickness
AMS
atypical measles syndrome
Amt amount
ANA antinuclear antibody
ANCA antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody
ANDI aberrations of normal development and involution (of breast)
ANF atrial natriuretic factor
ANP atrial natriuretic peptide
ANS autonomic nervous system
Ant anterior
Anti- refers to an antibody to the suffixed antigen
ANTR asymmetrical tonic neck reflex
ANUG acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis
A&O aware and oriented
A&Ox3 alert and oriented, times 3 (to person, place, and time)
alert and oriented, times 4 (to person, place, time, and circumstances) (often used interchangeably
A&Ox4
with A&Ox3)
AODM adult-onset diabetes mellitus (now called diabetes mellitus type 2)
AOM acute otitis media
a.p. before a meal (from Latin ante prandium)
alkaline phosphatase
AP anteroposterior
angina pectoris
A&P auscultation and percussion
APACHE II Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II
paracetamol (aka acetaminophen) (from its chemical name, N-acetyl-para-aminophenol)
APAP
automatic positive airway pressure
atrial premature contraction
APC antigen-presenting cell
activated protein C
adult polycystic disease
APD
automated peritoneal dialysis
APKD adult polycystic kidney disease
APECED autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy
APGAR appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, respiration - used to assess newborns
APH antepartum haemorrhage
APLS antiphospholipid syndrome
APMPPE acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy
applic. applicandus (Latin meaning "to be applied")
APR abdominoperineal resection
APS autoimmune polyendocrine/polyglandular syndrome
APSAC anisoylated plasminogen streptokinase activator complex
aPTT activated partial thromboplastin time
aq. water (from Latin aqua)
aq. bull. boiling water (from Latin aqua bulliens)
aq. calid. warm or hot water (from Latin aqua calida)
aq. dist. distilled water (from Latin aqua distillata)
aq. gel. cold water (from Latin aqua gelida)
AR aortic regurgitation
ARB angiotensin II receptor antagonist
ARC AIDS-related complex
acute respiratory distress syndrome
ARDS
adult respiratory distress syndrome
ARF acute renal failure
Arg arginine
ARM artificial rupture of membranes (also abbreviated as AROM)
active range of motion
AROM
artificial rupture of membranes
antiretroviral therapy
ART
assuming room temperature (that is, the patient has died)
ARVC arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
ARVD arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia
aortic stenosis
AS
atherosclerosis
ASA acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)
ASAP as soon as possible
ASC ambulatory surgery center
ASC-H atypical squamous cells - cannot exclude HSIL
ASCAD arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease
ASCUS atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance
ASCVD arteriosclerotic vascular disease (arteriosclerosis)
ASD atrial septal defect
ASGUS atypical squamous glandular cells of undetermined significance
ASH
arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary heart disease)
ASHD
ASIS anterior superior iliac spine
ASO antistreptolysin-O
ASOT antistreptolysin-O titre
ASPECTS Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score
Ass assessment
AST aspartate transaminase
ASX asymptomatic
antithrombin
AT
angiotensin
ATA antitransglutaminase antibodies
ATB antibiotic
ATCC American Type Culture Collection
ATG antithymic globulin
AT-III antithrombin III
ATN acute tubular necrosis
ATNR asymmetrical tonic neck reflex
acute thrombocytopenic purpura
ATP adenosine triphosphate
antitachycardia pacing
Atp atapical
ATRA all-trans retinoic acid
ATS antitetanus serum, that is, antitetanus immunoglobulins
AUC area under the curve (pharmacology)
aur. ear (from Latin auris)
aur. dextro. to right ear (from Latin auris dextrae)
aur. laev to left ear (from Latin auris laevae)
aurist. ear drops (from Latin auristillae)
AV arteriovenous
atrioventricular
AVM arteriovenous malformation
AVN avascular necrosis
AVR aortic valve replacement
A&W
alive and well
A/W
Ax axillary
AXR abdominal x-ray
AZT azidothymidine
Abbrev. Meaning
Bx biopsy
Ba barium
bronchoalveolar lavage
BAL British anti-Lewisite
blood alcohol level
BCX
blood culture
BCx
bipolar disorder
BD
twice a day (from Latin bis in die)
barium enema
BE
base excess
BGAT blood glucose awareness training (to help patients with diabetic hypoglycemia)
BID
bid twice a day (from Latin bis in die)
b.i.d.
BK bradykinin
BKA below-the-knee amputation
bld blood
BM bowel movement
BO bowel open
B/O because of
blood pressure
BP bipolar disorder
British Pharmacopoeia
biparietal diameter
BPD borderline personality disorder
bronchopulmonary dysplasia
BPH benign prostatic hyperplasia aka benign prostatic hypertrophy
bedrest
BR
bathroom
BRAT The BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, (dry) toast (helps digestion in some GI disorders)
another version of the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, (dry) toast, yogurt (helps digestion in
BRATY
some GI disorders)
bright red blood (color is important as an indicator of source, for example in gastrointestinal
BRB
bleeding)
BRCA1 (gene)
BRCA1 breast cancer 1 (a human gene and its protein)
(protein)
BRCA2 (gene)
BRCA2 breast cancer 2 (a human gene and its protein)
(protein)
BS breath
breath sound
bowel sounds on auscultation with stethoscope
blood sugar
BSP bromsulphthalein
BT bleeding time
BV bacterial vaginosis
Bx biopsy
BZDs benzodiazepines
Abbrev. Meaning
cytosine
C
cervical vertebrae
carcinoma
CA
cancer
calcium
Ca carcinoma
cancer
CADASI
cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy
L
Caps capsule
Cath catheter
CBC/DIF
complete blood count/differential
F
CCE
clubbing, cyanosis, and edema (general signs of cardiovascular disease)
C/C/E
CCK-PZ cholecystokinin-pancreozymin
CD Crohn's disease
CDP cytosine diphosphate
carcinoembryonic antigen
CEA carotid endarterectomy
cost-effectiveness analysis
CF cystic fibrosis
CGN chronic glomerulonephritis
CH congenital hypothyroidism
ChE cholinesterase
a group of blood tests, commonly called a basic metabolic panel (blood urea nitrogen, carbon
CHEM-7
dioxide, creatinine, glucose, serum chloride, serum potassium, serum sodium)
CHE cholinesterase
CHO carbohydrate
cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin (a.k.a. hydroxydaunorubicin), vincristine(a.k.a. Oncovin), prednisone (c
CHOP
hemotherapy regimen)
Chol cholesterol
circumcision
Circ
circulation
creatine kinase
CK
creatinine phosphokinase (formerly CPK)
CM Chirurgiae Magister, Master of Surgery (British and Commonwealth countries medical degree)
CMV cytomegalovirus
CN cranial nerves
cardiac output
CO carbon monoxide
complains of...
Conj conjunctiva
COX-1 cyclooxygenase 1
COX-2 cyclooxygenase 2
COX-3 cyclooxygenase 3
cerebral palsy
CP
chest pain
CPC clinical pathological conference
CR complete remission
Cr creatinine
creatinine clearance
CrCl
(Note: Looks similar to, but does not mean, the chromium chlorides—CrCl2, CrCl3, CrCl4)
Creat creatinine
Crit hematocrit
CsA ciclosporin A
cerebrospinal fluid
CSF
colony stimulating factor
CT computed tomography
clear to auscultation
CTA
computed tomography angiography
cytosine triphosphate
CTP cytidine triphosphate
Child-Turcotte-Pugh score
ceftriaxone (a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic)
CTX
contractions
CV cardiovascular
cerebrovascular accident
CVA
costovertebral angle
Cx microbiological culture
Abbrev. Meaning
DS diagnosis
D5 5% dextrose
D25 25% dextrose injections
d day(s)
DA dopamine
discharge
D/C
discontinue
DD differential diagnosis
DDD daily defined doses
DES diethylstilbestrol
DH developmental history
DHE dihydroergotamine
DI diabetes insipidus
DILI drug-induced liver injury
Dis dislocation
Disch discharge
dl deciliter
dL deciliter
DM diabetes mellitus
DMAR
disease-modifying antirheumatic drug
D
dead on arrival
DOA
drugs of abuse
DOSS docusate sodium; from the chemical name dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate
DP dorsalis pedis
DPH diphenylhydantoin
DS disease
Dsg dressing
DSM Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
dsRNA double-stranded RNA
diphtheria-tetanus (combined vaccination)
DT
delirium tremens
DW dextrose in water
DX
Dx diagnosis
dx
DZ disease
Abbrev. Meaning
ecstasy
electrolytes
E
Enterococcus
epinephrine
evidence-based medicine
EBM
expressed breast milk
EC enteric coating
extracellular fluid
ECF
enteric cytopathic human orphan
ECG electrocardiogram
emergency department
ED erectile dysfunction
ectodermal dysplasia
estimated date of delivery (at 40/40 weeks of pregnancy); expected date of delivery
EDD
estimated date of discharge
EDF end diastolic flow (describing the flow of blood through the umbilical artery)
EEG electroencephalogram
EEX electrodiagnosis
EF ejection fraction
EGD esophagogastroduodenoscopy
EMB ethambutol
EMC encephalomyocarditis
EMG electromyography
EMU early morning urine sample (being the most concentrated, generally used for pregnancy testing)
Emul emulsion
EPO erythropoietin
EPS electrophysiology
ER emergency room
ET endothelin
endotracheal
Etiol etiology
Ext extremities
Abbrev. Meaning
Fx fracture
FAMMM
familial atypical multiple mole melanoma syndrome
syndrome
FB foreign body
F/C fevers and/or chills
Fe iron
female
fem
femoral
FEP free erythrocyte protoporphyrin
family history (in medicine, meaning specifically the medical histories of family members and
FHx
ancestors)
fluid ounce (1 Imperial fluid ounce ≈ 28.4 mL; 1 U.S. fluid ounce ≈ 29.6 mL) (use of these units is
fl.oz.
generally deprecated in modern medicine in favor of mL)
F/U follow-up
Fx fracture of a bone
Abbrev. Meaning
gravidity (total number of pregnancies, successful or not)
G
guanosine
G6PD glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase
general anaesthesia
GA
gestational age
GB gallbladder
group B Strep.
GBS
Guillain-Barré syndrome
glioblastoma multiforme
GBM
glomerular basement membrane
general condition
GC
gonococcus
GH growth hormone
gastrointestinal;
GI
gastrointestinal tract
GM-
granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor
CSF
get outta my ER (i.e., a patient who frequently presents at the ER near death but
GOMER
manages to pull through each and every time)
GP general practitioner
Gr grain
glyceryl
GSW gunshot wound GTN
trinitrate
Gtts guttae (drops)
genitourinary
GU
gastric ulcer
GvH graft-versus-host
GvHD,
graft-versus-host disease
GVHD
GYN gynecology