Welcome to the MTWorld free resource on medical abbreviations.
We have gathered the most common medical abbreviations and
made them available for your use on our website. Although
these standard medical abbreviations have been designed with
medical transcription in mind, they can also benefit non medical
transcriptionists and anyone else in a healthcare or medical
career field who would find this information useful.
Abbreviation |
Meaning |
| 1 |
| TOP |
| 17-KGS |
17-ketogenic steriods |
| 17-KS |
17-ketosteroids |
| 17-OHCS |
17-hydroxcorticosteroids |
| A |
| TOP |
| A&P |
Auscultation and percussion |
| A&P |
Anterior and posterior |
| A-fib |
Atrial fibrillation |
| a.c. |
Before meals |
| A/a |
Alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient |
| AAA |
Abdominal aortic aneurysm |
| AB / ab |
Abortion |
| ABCs |
Airway, breathing, circulation |
| ABG |
Arterial blood gas |
| ABO |
A system of classifying blood groups |
| AC |
Acromioclavicular |
| AC |
Abdominal Circumference |
| ACE |
Angiotensin converting enzyme |
| ACL |
Anterior cruciate ligament |
| ACLS |
Advanced Cardiac Life Support |
| ACTH |
Adrenocorticotropic hormone, corticotropin |
| AD |
Alzheimer's dementia or disease |
| ad lib |
As desired |
| ADH |
Antidiuretic hormone |
| ADL |
Activities of daily living |
| AFB |
Acid-fast bacilli |
| AFL |
Atrial flutter |
| AFP |
Alpha-fetoprotein |
| AFV |
Amniotic fluid volume |
| AI |
Artificial Insemination |
| AI |
Amnioinfusion |
| AIDS |
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome |
| AKA |
Above knee amputation |
| ALL |
Acute lymphocytic leukemia |
| ALT |
Alanine aminotransferase |
| AMA |
Against medical advice |
| ANA |
Antinuclear antibody |
| AP |
Anteroposterior |
| appy |
Appendectomy |
| APTT |
Activated partial thromboplastin |
| AQ |
Water |
| ARC |
AIDS-related complex |
| ARDS |
Adult respiratory distress syndrome |
| ARF |
Acute renal failure |
| ASAP |
As soon as possible |
| ASHD |
Atherosclerotic heart disease |
| ASO |
Antistreptolysin-O |
| AST |
Aspartate aminotransferase |
| ATN |
Acute tubular necrosis |
| ATNC |
Atraumatic, normocephalic |
| AV |
Arteriovenous, atrioventricular |
| AVB |
Atrioventricular block |
| AVM |
Arteriovenous malformation |
| AVN |
Atrioventricular node |
| AVR |
Aortic valve replacement |
| B |
| TOP |
| b.i.d. |
Twice a day |
| B12 |
Vitamin B12 |
| Bact |
Bacteriology |
| BBT |
Basal body temperature |
| BE |
Barium enema |
| BHCG |
Beta human chorionic gonadotropin |
| BKA |
Below knee amputation |
| BLS |
Basic life support |
| BMR |
Basal metabolic rate |
| BP |
Blood pressure |
| BPAD |
Bipolar affective disorder |
| BPD |
Biparietal diameter |
| BPH |
Benign prostatic hypertrophy |
| Bpm |
Beats per minute |
| BSA |
Body surface area |
| BSO |
Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy |
| BUN |
Blood urea nitrogen |
| BV |
Bacterial vaginosis |
| BVH |
Biventricular hypertrophy |
| BX, Bx |
Biopsy |
| C |
| TOP |
| C |
Celsius, centigrade, complement |
| C&S |
Culture and sensitivity |
| c* |
With |
| C-section |
Cesarean section |
| C-spine |
Cervical spine |
| c/w |
Consistent with |
| C1-9 |
Cervical vertebrae 1-9 |
| Ca |
Calcium |
| CA, Ca, ca |
Cancer, carcinoma |
| CAB |
Coronary artery bypass |
| CABG |
Coronary artery bypass grafting |
| CAD |
Coronary artery disease |
| Caps |
Capsules |
| CAT |
Computerized axial tomography (CAT Scan) |
| CAV |
Cytoxan, adrimycin, and vincristine |
| CBC |
Complete blood count |
| cc |
Cubic centimeter |
| CC, C.C. |
Chief complaint |
| CCE |
Clubbing, cyanosis, or edema |
| CCU |
Coronary care unit |
| CDC |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
| CEA |
Carcinoembryonic antigen |
| CF |
Cystic fibrosis |
| cg |
Centigram |
| CHF |
Congestive heart failure |
| Chol |
Cholesterol |
| CK |
Creatine kinase |
| Cl |
Chloride, chlorine |
| CLL |
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia |
| cm |
Centimeter |
| CMC |
Carpometacarpal |
| CMG |
Cystometrogram |
| CMV |
Cytomegalovirus |
| CNS |
Central nervous system |
| CO |
Carbon monoxide, cardiac output |
| CO2 |
Carbon dioxide |
| COMP |
Compound |
| COPD |
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| CPAP |
Continuous positive airway pressure |
| CPD |
Cephalopelvic disproportion |
| CPK |
Creatine phosphokinase |
| CPM |
Continuous passive motion |
| CPR |
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, C-reactive protein |
| Cr |
Creatinine |
| CRF |
Chronic renal failure |
| CRP |
C-reactive protein |
| CSF |
Cerebrospinal fluid |
| CT |
Computed tomography |
| CTR |
Carpal tunnel release |
| CTS |
Carpal tunnel syndrome |
| cu |
Cubic |
| CV |
Cardiovascular |
| CVA |
Cerebrovascular accident |
| CVA |
Costovertabral angle |
| CVD |
Cerebrovascular disease |
| CVP |
Central venous pressure |
| CVS |
Cardiovascular system |
| CXR |
Chest x-ray film or radiograph |
| D |
| TOP |
| D&C |
Dilatation and curettage |
| D/W |
Dextrose in water |
| DBP |
Diastolic blood pressure |
| DC |
Discontinue |
| DC |
Discharge |
| DDD |
Degenerative disc disease |
| DDI, ddI |
Dideoxyinosine, didanosine |
| defib |
Defibrillation |
| DIC |
Disseminated intravascular coagulation |
| DIFF, diff |
Differential blood count |
| DIP |
Distal interphalangeal |
| DISH |
Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis |
| DJD |
Degenerative joint disease |
| dl |
Decliter (100 ml) |
| DM |
Diabetes mellitus |
| DNA |
Deoxyribonucleic acid |
| DO |
Doctor of osteopathy |
| DOB |
Date of birth |
| DP |
Dorsalis pedis |
| DPT |
Diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus (toxoids/vaccine) |
| DS |
Double strength |
| DSA |
Digital subtraction angiography |
| DT |
Delirium tremens |
| DTR |
Deep tendon reflex |
| DVT |
Deep venous thrombosis |
| DX, Dx, dx |
Diagnosis |
| E |
| TOP |
| EBL |
Estimated blood loss |
| ECF |
Extracellular fluid |
| ECG |
Electrocardiogram |
| ECHO |
Echocardiogram |
| ED |
Emergency department |
| EDC |
Estimated date of confinement |
| EEG |
Electroencephalogram |
| EF |
Ejection fraction |
| EFW |
Estimated fetal weight |
| EGA |
Estimated gestational age |
| EGD |
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy |
| EKG |
Electrocardiogram |
| EMG |
Electromyogram |
| ENT |
Ear, nose, and throat |
| EOM |
Extraocular muscle |
| EOMI |
Extraocular muscles intact |
| ER |
Emergency Room |
| ERA |
Estroadiol receptor assay |
| ERCP |
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography |
| ESR |
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate |
| ET |
Endotracheal |
| Exc |
Excision |
| F |
| TOP |
| F |
Fahrenheit |
| F/U |
Follow-up (study, exam, test, care) |
| FB |
Foreign body |
| FBS |
Fasting blood sugar |
| FCD |
Fibrocystic disease |
| FDA |
Food and Drug Administration |
| Fe |
Iron |
| FEF |
Forced expiratory flow |
| FFP |
Fresh frozen plasma |
| FH |
Family history |
| FHR |
Fetal heart rate |
| FL |
Femur length |
| FSH |
Follicle-stimulating hormone |
| ft |
Foot, feet, (measure) |
| FUO |
Fever of undetermined origin |
| G |
| TOP |
| G |
Gravida |
| g, gm |
Gram |
| G6PD |
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase |
| gastroc |
Gastrocnemius |
| GBS |
Group B Streptococcus bacteria, or group B streptococcal infection |
| GC |
Gonococcus |
| GCS |
Glasgow Coma Scale |
| GCT |
Glucose challenge test |
| GDM |
Gestational diabetes mellitus |
| GE |
Gastroesophageal |
| GE |
Gastroenterology |
| GERD |
Gasatroesophageal reflux disease |
| GFR |
Glomerular filtration rate |
| GI |
Gastrointestinal |
| GP |
General practitioner |
| Gr |
Grain |
| gt, gtt |
Drop, drops |
| GTT |
Glucose tolerance test |
| GU |
Genitourinary |
| GXT |
Graded exercise stress test |
| GYN, gyn |
Gynecology |
| H |
| TOP |
| H&H |
Hemoglobin and hematocrit |
| H&P |
History and physical |
| h.s. |
At bedtime, hour of sleep |
| h/o |
History of |
| Hb |
Hemoglobin |
| HC |
Head circumference |
| HCG |
Human chorionic gonadotropin |
| HCI |
Hydrochloric acid, hydrochloride |
| HCO3 |
Bicarbonate |
| HCT |
Hematocrit |
| HDL |
High-density lipoprotein |
| HDN |
Hemolytic disease of the newborn |
| HEENT |
Head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat |
| Hg |
Mercury |
| Hgb |
Hemoglobin |
| HGH |
Human growth hormone |
| HI |
Hemagglutination inhibition |
| HIDA |
Hepato-iminodiacetic acid |
| HIV |
Human immunodeficiency virus |
| HJR |
Hepatojugular reflex |
| HLA |
Human leukocyte antigen |
| HMD |
Hyaline membrane disease |
| HMG |
Human menopausal gonadotropin |
| HNP |
Herniated nucleus pulposus |
| HPI |
History of present illness |
| HR |
Heart rate |
| Hr |
Hour |
| HRT |
Hormone replacement therapy |
| HSV |
Herpes simplex virus |
| ht, Ht |
Height |
| HTN |
Hypertension |
| Hx |
History |
| Hz |
Hertz (cycles per second) |
| I |
| TOP |
| I&D |
Incision and drainage |
| I&O |
Intake and output |
| I.V. |
Intravenous |
| IABP |
Intra-aortic balloon pump |
| IAC |
Internal auditory canal |
| ICF |
Intracellular fluid |
| ICP |
Intracranial pressure |
| ICS |
Intercostal space |
| ICU |
Intensive care unit |
| ID |
Infectious disease |
| IDDM |
Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus |
| IgA |
Immunoglobulin A |
| IgD |
Immunoglobulin |
| IgE |
Immunoglobulin |
| IgG |
Immunoglobulin |
| IgM |
Immunoglobulin |
| IHSS |
Idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis |
| IJ |
Internal jugular |
| ILD |
Interstitial lung disease |
| IM |
Intramuscular |
| IN |
Intranasally |
| inf |
Inferior |
| inj |
Inject |
| IO |
Intraosseous |
| IP |
Interphalangeal |
| IPPB |
Intermittent positive-pressure breathing |
| IT |
Iliotibial |
| IU |
International unit |
| IUD |
Intrauterine device |
| IUGR |
Intrauterine growth retardation |
| IUP |
Intrauterine pregnancy |
| IVP |
Intravenous pyelogram |
| IVU |
Intravenous urography |
| J |
| TOP |
| JRA |
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis |
| JVD |
Jugular venous distention |
| JVP |
Jugular venous pressure |
| K |
| TOP |
| K, K1 |
Potassium |
| K-wire |
Kirschner wire |
| kcal |
Kilocalorie (food calorie) |
| kg |
kilogram |
| KO |
Keep open |
| KOH |
Potassium hydroxide |
| KS |
Kaposi's sarcoma |
| KUB |
Kidneys, ureters, and bladder |
| L |
| TOP |
| l |
Liter |
| L-spine |
Lumbar spine |
| L/S |
Lecithin-to-sphingomyelin (ratio) |
| L1-5 |
Lumbar vertebrae 1-5 |
| LAD |
Left anterior descending (coronary artery) |
| LAO |
Left anterior oblique |
| lap |
Laparotomy / laparoscopic |
| lat |
Lateral |
| lb |
Pound |
| LBBB |
Left bundle branch block |
| LCA |
Left coronary artery |
| LDH |
Lactate dyhdrogenase |
| LDL |
Low-density lopoprotein |
| LE |
Lupus erythematosus |
| LFT |
Liver function test |
| LGA |
Large for gestational age |
| LGI |
Lower GI (gastrointestinal) |
| LH |
Luteinizing hormone |
| LICA |
Left internal carotid artery |
| LIMA |
Left internal mammary artery |
| LLL |
Left lower lobe |
| LLQ |
Left lower quadrant |
| LMP |
Last menstrual period |
| LOC |
Loss of consciousness |
| LP |
Lumbar puncture |
| LPA |
Left pulmonary artery |
| LR |
Lactated Ringer's |
| LS |
Lumbosacral |
| lt |
Left |
| LUQ |
Left upper quadrant |
| LV |
Left ventricle |
| LVH |
Left ventricular hypertrophy |
| M |
| TOP |
| m |
Micron |
| M |
Molar |
| m |
Meter, minim |
| m l |
Microliter |
| m m |
Micrometer, micron |
| m mol |
Micromole |
| m Osm |
Micro-osmole |
| MAO |
Monoamine oxidase |
| MCH |
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin |
| MCHC |
Meancorpuscular hemoglobin concentration |
| mCi |
Millicurie |
| MCP |
Metacarpophalangeal |
| MCV |
Mean corpuscular volume |
| MD |
Medical doctor, muscular dystrophy |
| MDD |
Major depressive disorder |
| MDI |
Metered dose inhaler |
| MEE |
Middle ear effusion |
| mEq |
Millequivalent |
| mg |
Microgram |
| mg |
Milligram |
| Mg |
Magnesium |
| MI |
Myocardial infarction |
| min |
Minute |
| ml |
Milliliter |
| mm |
Millimeter |
| mM |
Millimole |
| mm |
Millimicron (nanometer) |
| mmol |
Millimole |
| MMR |
Measles-mumps-rubella (vaccine) |
| mo |
Month |
| mol wt |
Molecular weight |
| mOsm |
Milliosmole |
| MRI |
Magnetic resonance imaging |
| MS |
Multiple sclerosis, morphine sulfate |
| MSAFP |
Maternal serum alpha fetoprotein |
| MSH |
Melanocyte-stimulating hormone |
| MTP |
Metatarsaophalangeal |
| MUGA |
Multigated acquisition (scanning) |
| MVP |
Mitral valve prolaspe |
| N |
| TOP |
| N |
Nitrogen, normal (strength of solution) |
| N&V |
Nausea and vomiting |
| Na |
Sodium |
| NaCl |
Sodium chloride |
| NAD |
No acute distress |
| NCAT |
Normocephalic, atraumatic |
| NG |
Nasogastric |
| ng |
Nanogram (millimmicron) |
| NGT |
Nasogastric tube |
| NHL |
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma |
| NICU |
Neonatal intensive care unit |
| NIDDM |
Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus |
| NKDA |
No known drug allergies |
| NPO |
Nothing by mouth |
| NSAID |
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug |
| NSVD |
Normal spontaneous vaginal delivery |
| NTD |
Neural tube defect |
| NTG |
Nitroglycerin |
| O |
| TOP |
| O&P |
Ova and parasites |
| O.D. |
Right eye |
| O.S. |
Left eye |
| O2 |
Oxygen |
| OA |
Osteoarthritis |
| OB |
Obstetrics |
| Ob-GYN |
Obstetrics and gynecology |
| OCD |
Obsessive-compulsive disorder |
| OCG |
Oral cholecystogram |
| OCP |
Oral contraceptive pill |
| OM |
Otitis media |
| OMB |
Obtuse marginal branch |
| OPV |
Oral poliovirus |
| OR |
Operating room |
| ORIF |
Open reduction, internal fixation |
| OT |
Occupational therapy |
| OTC |
Over the counter (drug that requires no prescription) |
| oz |
Ounce |
| P |
| TOP |
| P |
Phosphorus, pressure, pulse, para |
| p.c. |
After meals |
| P.O. |
By mouth |
| p.r.n. |
As needed, whenever necessary |
| PA |
Posteroanterior |
| PAC |
Premature atrial contraction |
| PaCO2 |
Partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood |
| PaO2 |
Partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood |
| Pap |
Papanicolaou smear |
| PCL |
Posterior cruciate ligament |
| PCN |
Penicillin |
| PCO2 |
Partial pressure of carbon dioxide |
| PCP |
Pneumocystis pneumonia |
| PD |
Parkinson's disease |
| PE |
Pulmonary embolism |
| PE |
Physical examination |
| peds |
Pediatrics |
| PEFR |
Peak expiratory flow rate |
| Perrla |
Puplis equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation |
| PFTs |
Pulmonary function tests |
| pg |
Picogram (micromicrogram) |
| pH |
Hydrogen ion concentration |
| PICU |
Pediatric intensive care unit |
| PID |
Pelvic inflammatory disease |
| PIH |
Pregnancy-induced hypertension |
| PIP |
Proximal interphalangeal |
| PKU |
Phenylketonuria |
| plt |
Platelet |
| PMI |
Point of maximal impulse |
| PMS |
Premenstrual syndrome |
| PND |
Paroxyomal nocturnal dyspnea |
| PO2 |
Partial pressure of oxygen |
| POD |
Postoperative day |
| PPD |
Purified protein derivative (of tuberculin) |
| ppm |
Parts per million |
| PR |
Per rectum |
| Pro time |
Prothrombin time |
| PSA |
Prostate specific antigen |
| psi |
Pounds persquare inch |
| PT |
Physical therapy / prothrombin time |
| PTCA |
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty |
| PTH |
Parathyroid horomone |
| PTL |
Premature labor |
| PTSD |
Post-traumatic stress disorder |
| PTSD |
Post-traumatic stress disorder |
| PTT |
Partial thromboplastin time |
| PUD |
Peptic ulcer disease |
| PVC |
Premature ventricular contraction |
| Q |
| TOP |
| q |
Every |
| q.d. |
Every day |
| q.h. |
Every hour |
| q.i.d. |
Four times a day |
| q.o.d. |
Every other day (tertio quoque die) |
| q2h |
Every 2 hours |
| q4h |
Every 4 hours |
| R |
| TOP |
| R |
Respirations, roentgen |
| R/O |
Rule out |
| RA |
Rheumatoid arthritis |
| RAD |
Right anterior descending |
| RAIU |
Radioactive iodine uptake |
| RAO |
Right anterior oblique |
| RBBB |
Right bundle branch block |
| RBC |
Red blood cell |
| RCA |
Right coronary artery |
| REM |
Rapid eye movement |
| RF |
Renal failure |
| RF |
Rheumatic fever, rheumatoid factor |
| RFI |
Renal failure index |
| Rh |
Rhesus blood factor |
| Rh neg. (Rh-) |
Rhesus factor negative |
| Rh pos. (Rh+) |
Rhesus factor positive |
| RIND |
Reversible ischemic neurologic deficit |
| RLQ |
Right lower quadrant |
| RMSF |
Rocky Mountain spotted fever |
| RN |
Registered nurse |
| RNA |
Ribonucleic acid |
| ROM |
Range of motion (of joint) |
| RSD |
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy |
| RSI |
Rapid-sequence intubation |
| RSV |
Respiratory syncytial virus |
| RUQ |
Right uper quadrant |
| RVMI |
Right ventricular myocardial infarction |
| Rx |
Prescription |
| S |
| TOP |
| S&S |
Signs and symptoms |
| s* |
Without |
| S.C., SQ, subq |
Subcutaneous |
| SAB |
Spontaneous abortion |
| SAH |
Subarachnoid hemorrhage |
| SaO2 |
Systemic arterial oxygen saturation (%) |
| SBE |
Subacute bacterial endocarditis |
| SBP |
Systolic blood pressure |
| sec |
Second |
| sed rate |
Sedimentation rate |
| SG |
Swan-Ganz (catheter) |
| SGA |
Small for gestational age |
| SGOT |
Serum glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (see AST) |
| SGPT |
Serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (see ALT) |
| SHEENT |
Skin, head, eyes, ears, nose, & throat |
| SI |
Sacroiliac |
| SI |
International System of Units |
| SIADH |
Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone |
| SICU |
Surgical intensive care unit |
| SIDS |
Sudden infant death syndrome |
| SK |
Streptokinase |
| SL |
Sublingual |
| SLE |
Systemic lupus erythmatosus |
| SOB |
Short of breath |
| sp gr |
Specific gravity |
| spec |
Specimen |
| SQ |
Subcutaneous |
| SR |
Slow release |
| SS |
Single strength |
| ss* |
One-half |
| stat |
Immediately |
| STD |
Sexually transmitted disease |
| subq |
Subcutaneous |
| SVC |
Superior vena cava |
| sx |
Symptoms |
| T |
| TOP |
| T |
Temperature |
| T&A |
Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy |
| T&C |
Type and crossmatch |
| T-spine |
Thoracic spine |
| t.i.d. |
Three times a day |
| T1-12 |
Thoracic vertebrae 1-12 |
| TAB |
Therapeutic abortion |
| Tabs |
Tablets |
| TAH |
Total abdominal hysterectomy |
| TAH-BSO |
Total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy |
| TB |
Tuberculosis |
| TBSA |
Total body surface area |
| TEE |
Transesophageal echocardiography |
| temp. |
Temperature |
| TENS |
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation |
| TFT |
Thyroid function test |
| TG |
Triglycerides |
| TIA |
Transient ischemic attach |
| TIBS |
Total iron-binding capacity |
| TKA |
Total knee arthroplasty |
| TM |
Tympanic membrane |
| TMJ |
Temporomandibular joint |
| TORCHS |
Toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, syphilis (infection) |
| TPA |
Tissue plasminogen activator |
| TPN |
Total parenteral nutrition |
| TPR |
Temperature, pulse, respirations |
| TRH |
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone |
| TSH |
Thyroid-stimulating hormone |
| tsp |
Teaspoon |
| TURB |
Transurethral resection of the bladder |
| TURP |
Transurethral resection of the prostate |
| TVH |
Total vaginal hysterectomy |
| U |
| TOP |
| U/P |
Urine-to-plasma ratio |
| U/S |
Ultrasound, ultrasonogram, ultrasonography |
| UA |
Urinalysis |
| UC |
Ulcerative colitis |
| UGI |
Upper gastrointestinal (tract) |
| ung |
Ointment |
| UPJ |
Ureteropelvic junction |
| URI |
Upper respiratory infection |
| USPHS |
United States Public Health Service |
| UTI |
Urinary tract infection |
| UTI |
Urinary tract infection |
| UV |
Ultraviolet (radiation); B refers to the shorter-wave, more damaging range |
| V |
| TOP |
| V-fib |
Ventricular fibrillation |
| V-tach |
Ventricular tachycardia |
| VBAC |
Vaginal birth after cesarean |
| VCUG |
Voiding cystourethrogram |
| VDRL |
Veneral Disease Research Laboratory |
| VP |
Ventriculoperitoneal |
| VS |
Vital signs |
| VSD |
Ventricular septal defect |
| VT |
Ventricular septal defect |
| VT |
Ventricular tachycardia |
| W |
| TOP |
| WBC |
White blood cell |
| WHO |
World Health Organization |
| Wt |
Weight |
