A-Z medical words and abbreviations

A-Z medical words and abbreviations

Here is a list of commonly used medical words and abbreviations for people working in healthcare.

A

Words

Abdomen: the tummy area from the lower ribs to the pelvis

Abdominal: of the abdomen

Abrasion: typically non-serious scrape or cut

Abscess: pocket of pus that forms due to an infection

Acute: short-term illness, usually of rapid onset, of varying severity

Abduction: movement of limb away from the midline of the body

Adduction: movement of limb towards the midline of the body

Adhesions: scars that connect two or more body structures together; usually a long-term complication of surgery

Afferent: carry into, e.g. an afferent blood vessel feeds a capillary network in an organ

Ambulatory: able to walk. Not confined to bed

Anaemia: condition when the level of haemoglobin, the protein in blood which carries oxygen round the body, is lower than normal

Anaesthesia: loss of feeling or sensation in a part or all of the body

Anaphylaxis: a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that needs immediate treatment

Antenatal (prenatal): before birth

Anterior: front of (opposite to posterior)

Antibiotic: a medicines that fights an infection caused by bacteria

Anuric: not producing any or little (under 100 mls a day) urine. It is quite rare. A person who is anuric is usually critical ill and may require dialysis

Appendectomy: surgical removal of the appendix

Aural: relating to the ear

Abbreviations

AAA – abdominal aortic aneurysm

A&E – accident and emergency

ABG – arterial blood gas

ABO – blood types

ACE – angiotensin converting enzyme

ACS – acute coronary syndrome

ACP – advanced clinical practitioner (like PA)

ACR/PCR – albumin-protein/creatinine ratio

ADHD – attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

ADR – adverse drug reaction

ADL – activity of daily living

AE – adverse event

AF – atrial fibrillation

AFB – acid-fast bacilli (for TB)

AIDS – acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

alk phos – alkaline phosphatase

ALT/AST – alanine/aspartate transferase

AKA – above-knee amputation

AKI – acute kidney injury (previously ARF, acute renal failure)

AIN/CIN – acute/chronic interstitial nephritis

AMHP – approved mental health professional

angio – angiogram/plasty +/ stent

ANP – advanced nurse practitioner (like CNS)

ANP – atrial natriuretic peptide

AP view – anterior-posterior view on x-ray

APD – automated peritoneal dialysis

APA/APS – anti-phospholipid antibody/syndrome

ARDS – acute respiratory distress syndrome

APTT – activated partial thromboplastin time (a measure of how long it takes your blood to clot)

ARB – angiotensin receptor blocker

AS – aortic stenosis

ASA – acetylsalicylic acid

ASD – atrial septal defect

ATN/D – acute tubular necrosis/damage

AR – aortic regurgitation

AVM – arteriovenous malformation

AVN – avascular necrosis (e.g. of femoral head)

AVR – aortic valve replacement

AXR – abdominal x-ray

B

Words

Bacteria: tiny organisms that may cause infection

Benign: will not cause cancer; not cancerous

Biopsy: taking of a tiny sample of tissue for examination under a microscope

Brady-: prefix meaning slow (opposite of tachy-)

Abbreviations

BC – blood culture

BCC – basal cell carcinoma

BCG  – Bacille Calmette Guerin

BD – 2 times a day

bili – bilirubin

BKA – below-knee amputation

BMI – body mass index

BMT – bone marrow transplant

BNO – bowels not open

BNP – B-type natriuretic peptide

BO – bowels open

Bone – bone biochemistry

BP – blood pressure

BPH – benign prostatic hyperplasia

BS – bowel sounds

BSO – bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy

Bx – biopsy

C

Words

Cannula: thin plastic tube that goes into a blood vessel. It used to give drugs

Catheter: a small tube that can be passed through part of the body; for example through the urethra (to empty the bladder); or into a vein (for dialysis)

Cells: tiny building blocks which make up the organs and tissues of the body

Cholesterol: name for a group of blood fats

Cholecystectomy: surgical removal of gall bladder

Chromosomes: genetic structures within cells which contain our DNA (the material that carries genetic information). A normal cell contains 46 chromosomes

Chronic: long-term illness, usually of gradual onset – of varying severity

Complications: problems that develop after an operation, procedure, treatment or illness

Confidentiality: duty of health care professionals to not inappropriately share personal information disclosed to them in the course of their professional duties

Contusion: bruise

Cross match: test before a blood transfusion to make sure that you are given blood of the right group

Abbreviations

Ca – cancer

CABG – coronary artery bypass graft

CAE – clinical adverse event

CAP/HAP – community/hospital acquired pneumonia

CAPD – continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

Cath lab – cardiac catheter laboratory

CBT – cognitive behavioral therapy

CCU – coronary care unit

C diff – clostridium difficile

CF – cystic fibrosis

CHD – congenital heat disease

CHF/CCF – chronic heart/congestive cardiac failure

Chol – cholesterol

CIN – cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

CIS – carcinoma in situ

CK/CPK – creatine kinase/creatine phosphokinase

CKD – chronic kidney disease

CMHN – community mental health nurse

CMV – cytomegalovirus

CNS – central nervous system

CNS – clinical nurse specialist (like ANP)

COPD – chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

cons – consultant

COX-2 (cyclo-oxygenase) 2 inhibitors

CPAP – continuous positive airway pressure. Treatment for OSA

CPN – community psychiatric nurse

CQC – Care Quality Commission (health and social care inspector)

Cr/Creat – creatinine

CRP – C reactive protein (similar to ESR)

CSF – cerebrospinal fluid

CSU – catheter specimen of urine

CT scan – computerised tomography scan

CTPA  – CT pulmonary angiogram

CVA – cerebrovascular accident

CVD – cerebrovascular disease

CVP – central venous pressure

CVVHF – continuous veno-venous haemofiltration

CXR – chest x-ray

CYA – ciclosporin

D

Words

Defibrillator: device that restores a normal heart rhythm, by delivering an electric shock

Dialysis: method of separating particles in a liquid mixture (e.g. blood), using a thin semi-permeable membrane

Dislocation: separation of bones in a joint

Abbreviations

D&C – dilatation and curettage

DDTx – deceased donor transplant

DI – diabetes insipidus

DIC – disseminated intravascular coagulation

dip – urinary dipstick

DHSC – Department of Health and Social Care (in UK government; also known as DoH, and ‘DH’)

DKA – diabetic ketoacidosis

DM – diabetes (DM1, DM2)

DMARD – disease-modulating antirheumatic drug

DN – district nurse

DN – diabetic nephropathy

DNA – did not attend

DNA-CPR – do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation
DNAR – do not attempt resuscitation
DNR – do not resuscitate

DoB – date of birth

DPT diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (vaccine)

Dr – doctor

DR – diabetic retinopathy

DRE – digital rectal examination

DTs – delirium tremens

Dx/DDx – diagnosis/differential diagnosis

DXT – deep x-ray therapy

DVT – deep vein thrombosis

E

Words

Efferent: carry from e.g. vessels that drain fluid from an organ

Embolus (or embolism): thrombus (clot) that has spread from somewhere else in the body (see thrombus)

Endo-: within

Epi-: outside

Epidermis: skin’s outer layer

Epidural: type of regional anaesthetic placed in your back

Execs: they who should be obeyed

Extension (opposite of flexion): movement of a joint, in the sagittal plane, making the angle between bones greater. E.g. kicking a ball, extending the knee

Abbreviations

EBV – Epstein Barr Virus

ECG –  electrocardiogram

ECHO – echocardiogram

ECMO – extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

ECT – electroconvulsive therapy

ED/ER – emergency department/room

e-DS – e discharge summary

EEG – electroencephalogram

EF – ejection fraction

EMG – electromyography

EMSU – early morning sample urine

ENT – ear, nose and throat

EPO – erythropoeitin

ERCP – endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

ESR – erythrocyte sedimentation rate (a type of blood test used to help diagnose conditions associated with inflammation)

ESRF/D – end-stage renal failure/disease

ETOH – alcohol (ethanol)

ETT – endotracheal tube

EUA – examination under anaesthetic

F

Word

Fissure: a groove or cleft

Fossa: a depression or hollow

Fracture: broken bone or cartilage

Abbreviations

FBC – full blood count

FH – family history

FTND – full term normal delivery

FU – follow-up

FY1/FY2 – foundation year doctor 1/2 (or F1/2s = year 1 and 2; i.e. first two years after qualification)

G

Words

Gland: tissue or organ which produces a fluid for a certain purpose

Glomerulus: a tiny ball like structure as in kidney glomeruli

Group and save (G&S): blood sample to check which blood group you have in case you need a blood transfusion

Abbreviations

GA – general anaesthetic

GCS – Glasgow Coma Scale

(e)GFR – (estimated) glomerular filtration rate

GGT – Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase

GI – gastrointestinal

gluc – glucose

GMC – General Medical Council (doctors’ regulator)

GN – glomerulonephritis

GORD – gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

GP – general practitioner (or practice)

GTT – glucose tolerance test

GVHD – graft-versus-host disease

H

Word

Haematoma: solid swelling of clotted blood within tissues

House: old phrase for change of junior doctors in August, Dec, April (as in ‘the new house’)

Hyperglycaemia: excess glucose in the blood

Hypertension (HTN): high blood pressure

Hypoglycaemia (‘hypo’): lack of glucose in the blood

Hypotension: low blood pressure

Abbreviations

HAART – highly active antiretroviral therapy (f0r HIV/AIDS)

H/O – history of

Hb – haemoglobin

HCA – healthcare assistant

HCO3 – bicarbonate (or ‘bicarb’)

HCSW – healthcare support worker

HD – haemodialysis

HDL – high-density lipoprotein

HDU – high dependency unit

HELLP – haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets

Hep A, B, C, D, E – hepatitis A, B, C, D, E

HHS –  hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (previously known as HONK)

HIV – human immunodeficiency virus

HLA – human leucocyte antigen

HPC – history of present complaint

HR  – heart rate (beats/minute)

HRT – hormone replacement therapy

HPV – human papillomavirus

HSP/HSN- Henoch-Schonlein purpura/nephritis

HSV – herpes simplex virus

HRT – hormone replacement therapy

Ht – height

HUS – haemolytic uraemic syndrome

HV – health visitor

HVS – high vaginal swab

Hx – history

hyper/hypo – above or high; below or low

I

Words

Inferior: below (opposite to superior)

Inpatient: patient admitted to a hospital

In vitro: literally translated as ‘in glass’. Usually refers to a procedure carried out isolated from body and maintained in a tissue bath

In vivo: a procedure carried out with tissue in normal position within the body

Abbreviations

ICB/S – integrated care board/system (subregional local(ish) level of financial administration, below NHS Region; 42 in England)

IBD – inflammatory bowel disease

IBS – irritable bowel syndrome

ICD – implantable cardioverter defibrillator

ICH – intracranial haemorrhage

ICU – intensive care unit

ICP – intracranial pressure

ID – infectious disease

IHD – ischaemic heart disease

IM – intramuscular

INR – international normalised ratio

IOP – intraocular pressure

IP – inpatient

LRTI – lower respiratory tract infection

IU – international unit

IV – intravenous (fluid or medication delivered through a vein)

IVDU – intravenous drug use

IVI – intravenous infusion

IVU/IVP – intravenous urogram/pyelogram

Ix – investigations

J

Abbreviations

JD – junior doctor (we need a better phrase)

JVP – jugular venous pressure

K

K – potassium

KUB – kidneys/ureters/bladder

L

Word

Laparotomy: a surgical procedure that involves making a large incision in the abdomen to access the abdominal organs and peritoneal cavity. The word comes from the Greek word ‘lapara’, meaning flank

Lateral: relates to the region or parts of the body that are furthest from the median plane (opposite of medial)

Lesion: damage or change to tissue

Lobectomy: removing a lobe of an organ

Abbreviations

LA – local anaesthetic

LDH – lactate dehydrogenase

LDL – low-density lipoprotein

LFT – liver function test

LMP – last menstrual period

LOC – level of consciousness

LOS – length of stay

LLOS – long length of stay

LP – lumbar puncture

LRTx/LURTx – living related/unrelated transplant

LVH – left ventricular hypertrophy

M

Words

Malignant: cancerous

Majors: part of A&E where people with major (more severe) illnesses are looked after

Medial: relating to or situated in the central region of an organ, tissue or the body (opposite of lateral)

Metastatic: cancer that has spread (may be treatable)

Minors: part of A&E where people with minor (less severe) illnesses are looked after

Abbreviations

MAP – mean arterial pressure

Max-fax – maxillofacial (oral) surgery

MB – microbiology

mcg – microgram

M,C&S – microscopy, culture and sensitivity

meds – medicines

Med school – medical school (also to be obeyed)

mg – milligram

MI – myocardial infarction

MIU – minor injury/illness unit

M&M – morbidity and mortality

mmHg – millimeters of mercury

MMR – measles-mumps-rubella (vaccine)

M/R – modified release

MR – mitral regurgitation

MRI – magnetic resonance imaging

MRSA – methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

MRCP – magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography

MS – mitral stenosis

MS – multiple sclerosis

MSE – mental state examination

MSU – mid-stream specimen of urine

MVR – mitral valve replacement

N

Words

Nasogastric (NG): fluid or medication delivered through nose and into stomach

Nocte: every night

Abbreviations

Na – sodium

N/A – not applicable

NAD – no abnormality detected

NEB – nebulised

NEWS – national early warning score

N&V – nausea and vomiting

NAD – no abnormality detected

NAI – non-accidental injury

NBM – nil by mouth

NG – nasogastric (running between your nose and stomach)

NHSE – NHS England (national level of NHS administration; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have own ‘NHSs’)

NHS Region – regional level of NHS administration (7 in England, between ICB and NHSE)

NICE – National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (guidelines and cost-efficacy)

NICU – neonatal intensive care unit

NoF – neck of femur

NSAID – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug

NSTEMI – non ST elevation myocardial infarction

O

Words

Oedema: excessive fluid in body tissues (especially legs and lungs)

Oliguric: reduced urine output (below 400 mls a day)

Oral: relating to the mouth

Outpatient: patient that is treated without a hospital admission

Abbreviations

OA – osetoarthritis

O&G – obstetrics and gynaecology (‘obs and gynae’, for short)

obs – observations

OC – oral contraceptive

OCD – obsessive-compulsive disorder

OD – once a day

OD – overdose

ODP – operating department practitioner

O/E – on examination

OLT – orthoptic liver transplant

Op – operation

OP – outpatient

OPD – outpatient department

OSA – obstructive sleep apnoea

OT – occupational therapist

P

Words

Parathyroid: gland beside the thyroid (‘para’ = alongside (Latin))

Posterior: behind (opposite to anterior)

Postnatal: after birth

Prognosis: the predicted result of a disease’s progression

Abbreviations

PA – physician associate (like ACP)

PA view – posterior–anterior view on x-ray

paeds – paediatrics

PAF – paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

P/C – presenting complaint

pcg – picogram

PCKD/PKD: polycystic kidney disease

PCR – polymerase chain reaction

PCI – percutaneous coronary intervention (e.g. for a STEMI)

PCOS – polycystic ovarian syndrome

PD – peritoneal dialysis

PDA – patent ductus arteriosus

PE – pulmonary embolus/embolism

PEG – percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy

PERLA – pupils equal, reactive to light and accommodation

PET – positron emission tomography

PFT – pulmonary function test

pH – potential hydrogen

PICU – paediatric intensive care unit

PO – orally / by mouth

PPI – proton pump inhibitor

PR – rectally

preop – preoperative

PRN – as required

physio – physiotherapist

PMH – past medical history

PNS – peripheral nervous system

postop – postoperative

POP – plaster of paris

PPE – personal protective equipment

PPM – permanent pacemaker

PSA – prostate specific antigen

PSH – past surgical history

Pt – patient

PTH – parathyroid hormone

PTSD – post-traumatic stress disorder

PTT – partial thromboplastin time

PU – passed urine

PU – peptic ulcer

PV – per vagina

PVD – peripheral vascular disease

Q

Abbreviation

QDS – 4 times a day

R

Word

Relapse: reappearance of a disease or symptoms after a patient has recovered

Remission: a temporary (or permanent0) diminution of the severity of disease or pain

Abbreviations

RA – rheumatoid arthritis

RAT  – rapid assessment (and) treatment (part of A&E)

RBBB/LBBB – right/left bundle branch block

RBG – random blood glucose

reg – registrar

resus – resuscitation (part of A&E where people with most severe illnesses are looked after)

RF – rheumatoid factor

Rh – rhesus factor

RHD – rheumatic heart disease

RLQ/RUQ/LLQ/LUQ – right lower/upper quadrant; left lower/upper quadrant

RN – registered nurse

RNLD – learning disability nurse

ROM – range of movement

ROSC – return of spontaneous circulation

RR – respiratory rate

RRT – renal replacement therapy (dialysis or renal transplant)

RSV – respiratory syncytial virus

RTA – road traffic accident

RVD/RAS – renovascular disease/renal artery stenosis

RVH – right ventricular hypertrophy

Rx – treatment

S

Words

Sclerosis: hardening of tissue, typically due to excessive fibrosis

Sepsis:  life-threatening condition caused by the body’s response to an infection

Signs: what a doctor can see or find when they examine you

Symptoms: what you feel

Stasis: constancy, cessation of movement

Stenosis: abnormal narrowing of a body channel or passage

Sub-: under

Subcutaneous (‘subcut’; SC): fluid or medication delivered under the skin

Super-: above

Superior: above (opposite to inferior)

Suppository: small, solid pill containing a drug that can be put inside the anus

Supra-: above

Sutures: stitches

Abbreviations

SAH – sub-arachnoid haemorrhage

SARS – severe acute respiratory syndrome

SARS-CoV-2 – severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (a strain of coronavirus that causes COVID-19)

sats – 02 saturation

SC – subcutaneous (‘subcut’ for short)

SCBU – special care baby unit

SCC – squamous cell carcinoma

SFL – serum free light chain

SH – social history

SHO – senior house officer (between F1/2 and registrar)

SI – international system of units

SIADH – syndrome of inappropriate diuretic hormone

SL – sublingual

SLE – systemic lupus erythematosus (‘lupus’ for short)

SLR – straight leg raise

SOA – swelling of aklesn

SOAP – subjective, objective, assessment plan (problem oriented medical record)

SOB – shortness of breath

SPE – serum electrophoresis

SR – systems review

S/R – sustained release

SSRI – selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

SLT/SALT – speech and language therapist

ST – specialty registrar

stat – immediately, with no delay, now

STD/I – sexually transmitted disease/infection

STEMI – ST elevation myocardial infarction

STM – short-term memory

strep – streptococcus

supp – suppository

SUI – serious untoward event

SVT – supraventricular tachycardia

SW – social worker

T

Words

Tachy-: prefix meaning fast (opposite of brady-)

Theatre (operating): a large room in a hospital where surgical operations are performed

Thrombocythaemia – too many platelets

Thrombocytopenia – too few platelets

Thrombus: blood clot in artery or vein (see embolus)

Transplant: process of removing an organ from one individual and placing it in another

Abbreviations

TAC – tacrolimus

T3 – triiodothyronine

T4 – thyroxine

TAH – total abdominal hysterectomy

TB – tuberculosis

TCI – to come in

TDS – 3 times a day

temp – temperature

TENS – transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

TFT – thyroid function test

TG – triglyceride

‘the Trust’ – i.e. hospital. Avoid this phrase. YOU are the Trust

THR – total hip replacement

TIA – transient ischaemic attack

TIPS – transvenous intrahepatic porto-systemic shunt

TKR – total knee replacement

TMJ – temporomandibular joint

TOP – termination of pregnancy

TPN – total parenteral nutrition

TPR – temperature, pulse and respiration

TSH – thyroid stimulating hormone

TTA – to take away (tablets)

TTO – to take out (tablets)

TTP – thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

TURBT – transurethral resection of bladder tumour

TURP – transurethral resection of prostate gland

Tx – transplant

U

Word

Ulcer: sore that develops on the lining of the mouth, oesophagus, stomach, or intestines

Abbreviations

U – unit

UCO – under care of

U&E – urea and electrolytes (sodium, potassium, urea, creatinine)

UCC – urgent care centre

Ur – urea

URTI – upper respiratory tract infection

US – ultrasound

UTA – unable to attend

UTI – urinary tract infection

UTC – urgent treatment centre

V

Word

Vaccine: substance that promotes antibody production to boost immunity against disease

Abbreviations

V&P – vagotomy and pyloroplasty

VBG – venous blood gas

VF/VT – ventricular fibrillation/tachycardia

VLDL – very-low density lipoprotein

VQ  – ventilation perfusion (scan)

VSD – septal defect

VTE – venous thromboembolism (DVT or PE)

VZV – varicella zoster virus

W

Word

World Health Organization (WHO) checklist (or surgical checklist): list of checks carried out by the whole theatre team

Abbreviations

WC – white count

W/C – wheel chair

WHO – World Health Organization (the boss bosses)

Wt – weight

X

Abbreviation

X-ray

Y

Abbreviation

Yr or y – years

Z

Word

Zoonotic disease: sickness that is transmissible from animals to humans.

Symbols

↑ Increasing/increased
↓ Decreasing/decreased
> Greater than
< Less than
≤ Less than or equal to
≥ Greater than or equal to
–ve Negative
+ve Positive
± Plus or minus
+ Plus
= Equal to
~ About/approximately.

Some commonly used medical numbers

1min, 2h, 3/7, 4/52, 5/12, 6yr – 1 minute, 2 hours, 3 days, 4 weeks, 5 months, 6 years

111 – NHS111 – NHS helpline and website, especially when you need care today

999 – emergency care line (and way of requesting an ambulance)

1948 – when the NHS started – part of the dream of a compassionate post-war welfare state

# – broken bone (fracture)

Summary

We have listed medical abbreviations and acronyms – and a few other things. We hope you have found it helpful.