A-Z of common 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. 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
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 certain infections
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.
