Browse Medical Abbreviations

a before (L. ante)
A Adenine; assessment; anode; age; accommodation; artery; anterior; ampere
A&D ascending and descending
A&E accident and emergency
A&O alert and oriented
A&Ox3 awake and oriented to person, place, and time
A&Ox4 awake and oriented to person, place, time, and situation
A&P anatomy and physiology; anterior and posterior; assessment and plan; auscultation and percussion
A&W alive and well
A-A atlanto-axial joint
A-a alveolar-arterial
A-G ratio albumin/globulin ratio
A-R apical radial (pulse)
A-T baby teeth
A-VO2 arteriovenous oxygen
a.c. before meal (L. ante cibum)
a.m. morning, before noon (ante meridiem)
a.p. before meal (ante prandium); antepartum; anterior-posterior
A/C assist/control
A/G albumin/globulin ratio
A/O alert and oriented
A/V atrioventricular; arteriovenous; aortic valve
A1c glycosylated hemoglobin
A2 aortic second sound
AA aortic aneurism; arteries; amino acid; affected area; acute appendicitis; Alcoholics Anonymous; alopecia areata; acetic acid
aa of each (L. ana ana)
AA&O awake, alert and oriented
AAA abdominal aortic aneurysm
AAFP American Academy of Family Physicians
AAL anterior axillary line
AAMC Association of American Medical Colleges
AAMI age-associated memory impairment
AAO American Academy of Ophthalmology; awake, alert, and oriented
AAOS American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
AAR after action review/report
AAT alpha-1-antitrypsin
AAU acute anterior uveitis
AB active bilaterally
Ab abortion; antibody; abdominal
ABA applied behavior analysis
Abb abbreviated
ABC avidin-biotin complex; active breathing control; automated blood count; absolute basophil count; advanced breast cancer; airway, breathing, circulation
ABCD2 age, blood pressure, clinical findings, duration of symptoms, diabetes mellitus (stroke risk score)
ABCDE airway, breathing, circulation, disability, expose, and examine
abd abduction; abdominal; abdomen
abdom abdomen
ABFP American Board of Family Practice
ABG arterial blood gas
ABI ankle/brachial index; acquired brain injury
ABLA acute blood loss anemia
ABLS advanced burn life support
abn abnormal(ity)
ABN Advance Beneficiary Notice (Medicare)
ABO blood groups (A, B, AB, O)
ABP ambulatory blood pressure; actin-binding protein; acute bacterial prostatitis; arterial blood pressure; androgen binding protein
ABPA allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
ABPM ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
ABPP American Board of Professional Psychology
ABR auditory brain response
abs absent, absence
Abs antibodies
ABW actual body weight
abx antibiotics
AC alternating current; axiocervical; anticoagulant; anterior chamber; alternating current; adriamycin and cytoxan; adrenal cortex; abdominal circumference; acromioclavicular
ac acute
ac phos acid phosphatase
ACA anticentromere antibodies; anterior cerebral artery; against clinical advice; Affordable Care Act
acc accident; according
ACC aplasia cutis congenita; adenoid cystic carcinoma; Ambulatory Care Center
acc. accommodation
ACD anticonvulsant drug
ACDA adult children of alcoholics
ACE angiotensin-converting enzyme; all cotton elastic bandage; adverse clinical event
ACEI angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor
ACEP American College of Emergency Physicians
ACG angle closure glaucoma; angiocardiography
aCGH array comparative genomic hybridization
ACh acetylcholine
AChE acetylcholinesterase
ACHES abdominal pain, chest pain, headache, eye problems, and severe leg pains
AChR acetylcholine receptor
ACJ acromioclavicular joint
ACL anterior cruciate ligament
aCL anticardiolipin antibodies
ACLE acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus
ACLS advanced cardiac life support
ACO accountable care organization
ACOG American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
ACP acyl carrier protein; American College of Physicians; advanced care plan; acid phosphatase; accountable care partnerships; advanced clinical practice
ACPA anti-citrullinated protein antibodies
ACR albumin-creatinine ratio
ACS acute coronary syndrome; American Cancer Society; accountable care systems; ambulatory care-sensitive
ACSW Academy of Certified Social Workers
ACT assertive community treatment; anticoagulant therapy; activated clotting time
act. activity
ACTH adrenocorticotropic hormone
ACU ambulatory care unit
ACV assist control ventilation
ACVD acute cardiovascular disease; atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
AD right ear (L. auris dextra); advance directive; Alzheimer's disease; autosomal dominant
ad to; up to (L. ad)
ad lib. freely, as desired, at liberty (L. ad libitum)
ad sat. to saturation
ADA Americans with Disabilities Act; adenosine deaminase; American Diabetes Association; anti-drug antibody
ADC apparent diffusion coefficient; AIDS dementia complex
ADCA autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia
ADD attention-deficit disorder
Add adduction
ADDH attention-deficit disorder with hyperactivity
addl additional
ADE adverse drug event/experience; antibody-dependent enhancement
ADEM acute disseminated encephalomyelitis
adeq adequate
ADH antidiuretic hormone; alcohol dehydrogenase
ADHD attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
ADHF acute decompensated heart failure
ADHR Autosomal Dominant Hypophosphatemic Rickets
ADI acceptable daily intake
ADL activities of daily living
adm administer(ed); admission
ADME absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion
admin administration, administer
admov let it be applied (admoveatur)
aDNA ancient DNA
ADP adenosine diphosphate
ADPKD autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease
ADQI Acute Dialysis Quality Initiative
ADR adverse drug reaction
ADRP autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa
ADT antiandrogen therapy; anticipated discharge tomorrow; admission, discharge, transfer
ADV adenoviruses
adv advise(d)
AE arm ergometer; adverse event; above elbow; acute exacerbation
AEA above elbow amputation
AEB as evidenced by
AEC ambulatory emergency care
AECA anti-endothelial cell antibodies
AED antiepileptic drug; automated external defibrillator
AER auditory evoked response; adverse event report
AF anteflexed; afebrile; atrial fibrillation; amniotic fluid
AFB acid fast bacilli
AFE amniotic fluid embolism
Afeb afebrile
Afib atrial fibrillation
AFO ankle foot orthosis
AFP alpha-fetoprotein
AFV amniotic fluid volume
AFX atypical fibroxanthoma
AG anion gap
Ag antigen; silver [element]
AGA appropriate/average for gestational age
AGC atypical glandular cell
AGE acute gastroenteritis; advanced glycation end
AGEP acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis
aggl agglutination
AGN acute glomerulonephritis
AgNO3 silver nitrate
AGREE Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation
AGS Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome
ags antigens
AH auditory hallucination; acetylene hydratase
AHA American Hospital Association; autoimmune hemolytic anemia; alpha hydroxy acids; American Heart Association
AHC acute hemorrhagic cystitis
AHF antihemophilic factor; acute heart failure
AHG aggregated human IgG; antihuman globulin
AHO Albright hereditary osteodystrophy
AI artificial insemination; aortic insufficiency/incompetence; adequate intake; artificial intelligence
AICD automatic implantable cardiac defibrillator
AID artificial insemination by donor
AIDP acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
AIDS acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
AIH artificial insemination homologous
AIHA autoimmune hemolytic anemia
AIMS arthritis impact measurement scales; abnormal involuntary movement scale
AIN acute interstitial nephritis
AIS androgen insensitivity syndrome
AIVR accelerated idioventricular rhythm
AK actinic keratosis; above the knee
AKA alcoholic ketoacidosis; above the knee amputation
aka also known as (alias)
AKI acute kidney injury
AKIN Acute Kidney Injury Network
AKN acne keloidalis nuchae
Al aluminum [element]
ALA aminolevulinic acid
Alb albumin
ALC absolute lymphocyte count; acute lethal catatonia
alc alcohol
ALD adrenoleukodystrophy; alcoholic liver disease
ALF Assisted Living Facility
ALFT abnormal liver function test
ALG antilymphocyte globulin
ALI acute lung injury
ALL acute lymphocytic/lymphoblastic leukemia
ALP alkaline phosphatase
ALS advanced life support; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
ALT alanine aminotransferase (formerly SGPT); alanine transaminase; antibiotic lock therapy; alanine aminotransferase; argon laser trabeculoplasty
alt alternate
alt. dieb. every other day (L. alternis diebus)
alt. hor. alternate hours (L. alternis horis)
alt. noct. alternate nights (L. alternis noctibus)
AMA antimitochondrial antibodies; anti-mitochondrial antibodies; against medical advice; American Medical Association
AMAN acute motor axonal neuropathy
amb ambulance; ambulation; ambulatory
AMD age-related macular degeneration
AME absorption, metabolism, excretion
AMH anti-Mullerian hormone
AMI acute myocardial infarction
AML acute myelogenous (myeloblastic) leukemia; acute myeloid leukemia
AMLS advanced medical life support
AMML acute myelomonocytic leukemia
AMN adrenomyeloneuropathy
amnio amniocentesis; amniotic
AMP adenosine monophosphate; acid mucopolysaccharide
amp amputation; ampule
AMPD adenosine monophosphate deaminase
AMPLE allergies, medications, past medical history, last meal, events preceding
AMR antimicrobial resistance
AMS accelerator mass spectrometry; altered mental status; aseptic meningitis syndrome
AMSAN acute motor sensory axonal neuropathy
AMSIT appearance, mood, sensorium, intelligence, thought process
amt amount
AMU acute medical unit; Atomic Mass Unit
AN acanthosis nigricans; anorexia nervosa
ANA antinuclear antigen; antinuclear antibodies; American Nurses Association; antinuclear antibody
anast. anastomosis
anat anatomy or anatomic
ANC absolute neutrophil count
ANCA anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody
ANCL adult neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis
ANCOVA analysis of covariance
AND axillary node dissection; allow natural death
ANDA abbreviated new drug application
anes anesthesia
anesth anesthesia
ANF atrial natriuretic factor; antinuclear factor
ang angiogram
ANLL acute nonlymphocytic leukemia
ANOVA analysis of variance
ANP adult nurse practitioner; alkaline phosphatase; advanced nurse practitioner; atrial natriuretic peptide
ANS autonomic nervous system; acute nephritic syndrome
ant. anterior
anti-CCP anticyclic citrullinated peptide
anti-GBM anti-glomerular basement membrane
anti-HAV hepatitis A antibody
anti-HBc hepatitis B antibodies to the core antigen
anti-HBe hepatitis B antibody (antibody to HBeAg)
anti-HBs hepatitis B antibodies to the surface antigen
anti-HCV hepatitis C virus antibodies
AO aorta; acridine orange
Ao. aorta
AOB alcohol on breath
AODM adult onset diabetes mellitus
AOM acute otitis media
AOP acknowledgment of paternity
AOR adjusted odds ratio
AOS Adams-Oliver syndrome
AOTA American Occupational Therapy Association
AoV aortic valve
AP appendectomy; action potential; anterior-posterior; apical pulse; antepartum; alkaline phosphatase
Ap apex/apical
AP D anteroposterior diameter
APA antipernicious anemia (factor); American Psychiatric Association
APACHE Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation
APAP N-acetyl-para-aminophenol (paracetamol, acetaminophen)
APC activated protein C; atrial premature contraction; aspirin/caffeine; admitted patient care; adenomatous polyposis coli; antigen-presenting cell
APD adult polycystic disease; automated peritoneal dialysis
APE acute pulmonary edema; annual physical exam; acute psychotic episode
APGAR appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, respiration
API active pharmaceutical ingredient
APL IgA phospholipid unit; acute promyelocytic leukemia; abductor pollicis longus
aPL anti-phospholipid antibodies
APLS antiphospholipid syndrome; advanced pediatric life support
APMS alternative provider medical services
APN Advanced Practice Nurse
apo apolipoprotein
APORF acute postoperative renal failure
APP abdominal perfusion pressure
appar apparent
APPG aqueous procaine penicillin-g
approx approximately
appt appointment
aPPT activated partial thromboplastin time
APRN Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
APRV airway pressure release ventilation
APS antiphospholipid syndrome
APSGN acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis
aPT anti-prothrombin antibodies
APT anatomical pathology technologist
aPTT activated partial thromboplastin time
aq water (L. aqua)
AR augmented reality; artificial respiration; aortic regurgitation; allergic rhinitis; autosomal recessive
Ar argon [element]
ARB angiotensin-II receptor blocker; angiotensin receptor blocker
ARBD alcohol-related birth defects
ARC American Red Cross; acid-resistant cells; AIDS-related complex
ARCA autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia
ARD acute respiratory distress; acute respiratory disease
ARDD alcohol-related developmental disability
ARDS acute respiratory distress syndrome
ARF ADP-ribosylation factor; acute respiratory failure; acute renal failure; acute rheumatic fever
ARG argininemia
ARH autosomal recessive hypercholesterolemia
ARMD age-related macular degeneration
ARND alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder
ARNP Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
AROM active range of motion; artificial rupture of membranes
ARPKD autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease
ARR absolute risk reduction
ARRP anatomic retropubic radical prostatectomy
ARRT American Registry of Radiologic Technologists; American registered respiratory therapist; adult rapid response team
ARS acute radiation syndrome; anti-rabies serum
ART assisted reproductive technology/therapy; active resistance training; accredited record technician; artery; antiretroviral therapy
art arterial
ARV AIDS-related virus; antiretroviral
ARVD arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia
AS active surveillance; Angelman syndrome; arteriosclerosis; aortic stenosis; ankylosing spondylitis; left ear (auris sinistra)
As arsenic [element]
as tol as tolerated
As. astigmatism
ASA acetylsalicylic acid; aminosalicylic acid; acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)
aSAH aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
ASAP as soon as possible
ASC atypical squamous cells
ASC-US atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance
asc. ascending
ASCA anti-saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody
ASCP American Society of Clinical Pathologists
ASCT allogenic stem cell transplant; autologous stem cell transplantation
ASCVD atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
ASD atrial septal defect; autism spectrum disorders
ASF anterior spinal fusion
AsH hypermetropic astigmatism
ASH asymmetric septal hypertrophy
ASHD arteriosclerotic heart disease
ASHF acute systolic heart failure
ASHG American Society of Human Genetics
ASIS anterior superior iliac spine
AsM myopic astigmatism
ASM aggressive systemic mastocytosis
ASO administrative services only; antistreptolysin-o titer; allele-specific oligonucleotide
ASPD advanced sleep phase disorder
Ast astigmatism
AST aspartate transaminase; aspartate aminotransferase; aspartate aminotransferase (formerly SGOT)
ASU ambulatory surgery unit
Asx asymptomatic
AT atrial tachycardia; assistive technology; anterior tibial
at. wt. atomic weight
ATF activating transcription factors; alcohol, tobacco, and firearms
ATG antithymocyte globulin
ATL adult T-cell leukemia
ATLS advanced trauma life support
ATN acute tubular necrosis
ATOD alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; atopic dermatitis
ATP adenosine triphosphate
ATPase adenosine triphosphatase
atr atrophy
AU each ear, both ears (L. auris uterque); arbitrary unit; angstron (angstrom) unit
Au gold [element]
AUC area under the curve
aud auditory
AUG oxytocin challenge test
AUL acute undifferentiated leukemia
ausc auscultation
aux auxiliary
AV aortic value; arteriovenous; atrioventricular; audio visual; aortic valve
AV block atrioventricular block
AV valves atrioventricular valves
av. avoirdupois
AVB atrioventricular block
AVD aortic valve disease; atrioventricular dissociation
AVF arteriovenous fistula
AVI automatic volume infusion pump
AVM arteriovenous malformation
AVN avascular necrosis
AVP arginine vasopressin
AVPU alert, verbal, pain response, unresponsive
AVR aortic valve repair; aortic valve replacement
AVS arteriovenous shunt
AVSD atrioventricular septal defect
AVSS afebrile, vital signs stable
AWC adequate and well-controlled
AWMI anterior wall myocardial infarction
AWOL absent without (official) leave
ax axillary
AXR abdominal x-ray
AXT alternating exotropia
AZA azathioprine