Medical Abbreviations

This page contains medical abbreviations that radiographers should be familiar with to enable interpretation of request forms. Medical Abbreviations Symbols 0 Not Present OR No abnormality Also in superscript e.g. ……..o +/- Uncertain/equivocal + Present or Noted ++ Present Significantly +++ Present in Excess eg BMI +++ = Equivalent to Numbers 3 OK or satisfactory A A Ankle Jerk/Reflex Hitting the ankle with a patella hammer to test reflexes AAA Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Dilatation of abdominal aorta AAL Anterior Axillary Line Imaginary line drawn from the front arm pit down the chest wall Ab Abortion ABG Arterial Blood Gas "Sats" Blood test to see how much oxygen there is in the blood (percentage ‘saturation’ with oxygen) ACD Acid Citrate Dextrose Anticoagulant solution ACE Angiotensin Converting Enzyme ACJ Acromio Clavicular Joint ACL Anterior Clavicular Line or Anterior Cruciate Ligament An imaginary line down the front of the body from the inner end of the collarbone OR a ligament in the knee ACTH Adrenocorticotropic Hormone A.d As Directed A&E Accident and Emergency AE After Evacuation A/E Air Entry to Lungs OR Accident & Emergency AF Atrial Fibrillation Irregular heart beat AFM After Fatty meal AFP Alpha Feto Protein AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome AIIS Anterior Inferior Iliac Spine AI/R Aortic Incompetence/regurgitation Leaking heart valve. ALL Acute Lymphatic Leukaemia ALP Alkaline-Phosphatase AM After Micturation AML Acute Myeloid Leukaemia AMNIO Amniocentesis ANC Ante-Natal Clinic ANT Anterior AODM Adult Onset of Diabetes Mellitus AP Anterior Posterior APH Ante Partum Haemorrhage AoR Aortic Valve Replacement AVR ARDS Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome ARF Acute Renal Failure AS Abdominal System OR Aortic Stenosis Aortic Stenosis is a narrowed heart valve ASAP As Soon As Possible ASD Atrial Septal Defect ASIS Anterior Superior Iliac Spine ATB Antibiotic ATN Acute Tubular Necrosis AV Avascular Necrosis AVF Arterial Venous Fistula AVM Arterial Venous Malformation AVR Atrial Valve Replacement AXR Abdominal X-Ray B Ba Barium BaE (BE) Barium Enema BA Bowel Action bd/bid Twice a Day B Biceps Jerk/Reflex Hitting the arm with a patella hammer to test reflexes BB Battered Baby BBB Blood Brain Barrier BCC Basal Cell Carcinoma Skin Cancer – Very Low Malignancy BCDH Bilateral Congenital Dislocated Hips BE (BaE) BariumEnema BFR Bone Formation Rate BIBA Brought in by Ambulance BMI Body Mass Index A measure of body size relating to height and weight B-mode Brightness Modulation (ultrasound) BMT Bone Marrow Transplant BNO Bowels Not Opened BOR Bowels Open Regularly BOP Base of Penis BP Blood Pressure BPd Diastolic Blood Pressure The lower blood pressure (heart relaxed) BPD Bi-Parietal Diameter BPH Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy BPs Systolic Blood Pressure The higher blood pressure (heart contracted) BS Bowel Sounds BSO Bilateral Salpingo Oopherectomy BTD Biliary Tract Disease Bx Biopsy C C Celsius CA or Ca Carcinoma Cancer CABG/S or CAG/S Coronary Artery (Bypass) Graft/Surgery Heart surgery to bypass blocked blood supply Cal Calorie Cas Casualty CAT Computed Axial Tomography CBD Common Bile Duct CBE Complete Blood Examination CBP Complete Blood Picture CCF Congestive Cardiac Failure CCK Cholecystokinin CCU Coronary Care Unit CDH Congenital Dislocated Hip CFS Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Also called ME CHD Congenital Heart Disease CHI Closed Head Injury CLL Colapsed Lower Lobe Chronic Lymphatic Leukaemia Cm Centimetre CN Charge Nurse CNC Clinical Nurse Consultant CNS Central Nervous System cnts Countss c/o or C.o Complains of CO Cardiac Output COAD Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease Chronic lung disease COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Chronic lung disease CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Cr Creatinine CRF Chronic Renal Failure CRL Crown Rump Length CRT Cathode Ray Tube CS Caesarean Section CSF Cerebro Spinal Fluid CT or CAT Computerised Axial Tomography Body Scan CVA Cerebrovascular Accident Stroke CVD Cerebrovascular Disease CVP Central Venous Pressure CVS Cardiovascular System The heart and blood vessels CX or Cx Cervix OR Cervical Spine Cervix is the neck of the womb For example, Cx smear = Cervical smear CXR Chest X-ray D D Dates dB Decibel D&C Dilatation and Cutettage D/C Discharge DCG Dacrocystogram D/D Differential Diagnosis D=E Dates=Exam D>E Large For Dates D<E Small for Dates D+V Diarrhoea and Vomiting D/H Drug History DIP, PIP Distal/proximal interphalangeal joints Finger joints DLE Discoid Lupus Erythematosus A connective tissue disorder DNA Did Not Attend DOA Dead on Arrival DOB Date of Birth DS Disseminated (Multiple) Sclerosis DU Duodenal Ulcer DUB Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding DUI Driving under the Influence DVT Deep Vein Thrombosis Blood clot Dx Diagnosis DXT Deep X-ray Treatment Radiotherapy E e Electron EAM External Auditory Meatus Ear canal opening ECG Electrocardiograph Electrical heart trace ECT Electroconvulsive Therapy ED Emergency Department EF Ejection Fraction EFW Estimated Fetal Weight EMLA Local anaesthetic cream used before injections EMU Early Morning Specimen of Urine ENG Head engaged (Baby) Head of baby low in pelvis (in Womb) ENT Ear, Nose & Throat ERCP Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio Pancreatogrophy ES End Systole E/S Emergency Service ESR Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate A blood test for inflammation ETOH Ethanol Alcohol EUA Evaluate under Anaesthetic EWS Early Warning Score F F Fhrenheight FA Fetal Abnormality FAC Family Advisory Clinic FB Foreign Body FBC Full Blood Count FBE Full Blood Examination FBG/S Fasting Blood Glucose/Sugar FBL Faecal Blood Loss FBP Full Blood Picture FD Forceps Delivery Fe Iron FFD Focal Film Distance F/H or FH Family History Fetal heart FHH/R Foetal Heart Heard/Regular Baby’s heartbeat in the womb FI For Investigation FOOSH Fall On Outstretched Hand FOV Field of View FROM Full Range of Movement FSD Focal Source Distance FSH Folilicle Stimulating Hormone FT Follow Through FTD Formal Thought Disorder Psychiatric disorder FTND Full Term Normal Delivery FTT Failure to Thrive FUO Fever of Unknown origin G G Gravida GA General Anaesthetic GB Gallbladder GCS Glasgow Coma Scale Consciousness state; score out of 15 GE Gastric Emptying GFR Glomerular Filtration Rate GI or GIT Gastro Intestinal / Tract To do with the intestines GOR Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux GORD Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease Back flow of stomach acid into the gullet GSW Gun Shot Wound GTT Glucose Tolerance Test GU or GUT or GUS Genito Urinary / Tract / System Relating to kidneys, bladder & genitals GU Gastric Ulcer GUM Genito-Urinary Medicine For sexually transmitted diseases/infections Gyn Gynaecology H H2O Water H/A Head Ache Hb Haemoglobin A measure of blood count (eg in Anaemia) HBP High Blood Pressure HC Head Circumference Hct Haematocrit HD Hepatic Duct Hodgkins Disease HDU High Dependency Unit HF High Frequency HH Hiatus Hernia Part of stomach displaced above diaphragm HI Head Injury HIV Human Immune Deficiency Virus HMD Hyaline Membrane Disease HNPU Has Not Passed Urine HO or H/O History Of HOP Head of Pancrease HR Heart Rate HRT Hormone Replacement Therapy History of Radiotherapy HS Heart Sounds HSA Human Serum Albumin HT Height Hypertensive Hx History (of complaint) Hz Hertz I I Iodine IAM Internal Auditory Meatus IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome IC Iliac Crest ICP Intra Cranial Pressure ICU Intensive Care Unit IDDM Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus IDK Internal Derangement of the Knee IF Intrinsic Factors IGT or IGTN In Growing Toenail IH Infectious Hepatitis IHD Ischaemic Heart Disease II Image Intensifier IM Intra Muscular IMB Intermenstrual Bleeding Vaginal bleeding between periods Inf Infection IOFB Intra Occular Foreign Body ISQ "In Status Quo" - Nothing has Changed IUCD Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device IUGR Intrauterine Growth Restriction IUFD Intrauterine Fetal Demise IUP Intrauterine Pregnancy IV Intra Venous IVC Inferior Vena Cava Intra Venous Catheter IVP Intravenous Pyelogram X-ray of kidneys using an injected dye IVU Intravenous Urogram Ix Investigations J JODM Juvenile Onset diabetes mellitus JVP Jugular Venous Pressure Neck Vein – back pressure from the heart K K Knee Jerk / Reflex Potassium Kg Kilogram K nail Kintscher Nail Km Kilometre KUB Kidneys, Ureters, Bladder X-ray or ultrasound of renal track (IVP) KV Kilo Volts KVp Kilovolts Peak K wire Kirschner wire L L Left LA Local Anaesthetic LAO Left Anterior Oblique LAT Lateral LB Large Bowel LBD Light Beam Diaphragm LBP Lower back Pain LE Lower Extremeties LFT Liver Function Test Blood tests for liver function LH Luteinizing Hormone LIF Left Iliac Fossa Left groin LIH Left Inguinal Hernia Hernia of left groin LK Left Kidney LKKS Liver, kidney, kidney, spleen Result of examination LL Lower Limb LLL Left Lower Lobe LLQ Left Lower Quadrant LLZ Left Lower Zone LML Left Middle Lobe LOC Loss of Consciousness LMP Last Menstrual Period LMZ Left Middle Zone LN Lymph Node LOC Loss of Consciousness LP Lumbar puncture Needle inserted into the spine for diagnostic purposes LPO Left Posterior Oblique L/R/ IH Left or Right Inguinal Hernia Hernia of groins LRTI Lower Respiratory Tract Infection LS Lymph System LSCS or LUSCS Lower (Uterine) Segment Caesarean section LSJ Lumbo-Sacral Joint LSU Left Side Up Lt Left LUL Left Upper Lobe LUQ Left Upper Quadrant Left upper part of abdomen LUZ Left Upper Zone LV Left Ventricle LVEF Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction LVSD Left Ventricular Septal Defect LVF Left Ventricular Failure M m Metre mA Milli Amps MA Mental Age mAs Milli Ampere Seconds Mane In the Morning MBA Motor Bike Accident MBC Maximum Breathing Capacity M&C (S) Microscopy & Culture Sensitivity of Bacteria Of a sample e.g. urine MC Metacarpals MCA Motor Cycle Accident Multiple Congenital Abnormalities Middle Cerebral Artery MCL Mid Clavicular Line An imaginary line down the body from the middle of the collarbone to the described area MCP Metacarpophalangeal Joint MCU Micturating Cysto Urethrogram MCV Mean Corpuscular Volume A measure of the size of red blood cells MD Mentally Deficient ME Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Also called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome MET/S Metastases Cancer spread Mhz Megahertz MI Myocardial Infarction Mitral Incompetence Heart attack OR leaking heart valve (sometimes MR) mitte or mite Dispense this number of tablets ML Midline mm millimetre MMG Mammogram MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging Body/Brain Scan MS Multiple Sclerosis Mitral Stenosis Mitral Stenosis is a narrowed heart valve MSS Musculo-Skeletal System MSE Mental State Examination MSU or MSSU Mid-Stream Urine Sample MTP Metatarso-phalangeal Joint MU Motor Unit MVA Motor Vehicle Accident MVR Mitral Valve Replacement N N Notch (Sternal) Na Sodium NAD Nothing Abnormality Detected NAI Non accidental Injury (Silvermans Disease) NaI Sodium Iodide NBI No Bone Injury NEC Necrotising Enterocolitis NGT Nasogastric Tube NHL Non Hodgkins Lymphoma Nocte At Night NOF Neck of Femur NFR Not For Resuscitation NNU Neonatal Unit NPO Nil by Mouth NSS Normal Shape and Size NSVD Normal Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery N&V Nausea & Vomiting O O2 Oxygen OA Osteoarthritis ‘Wear & Tear’ Arthritis Ob Obstetrics OBL Oblique OC/COC (Combined) Oral Contraceptive OCP Oral Contraceptive Pill OCT Orthotopic Cardiac Transplant Heart Transplant o.d. Once a Day O/E or o.e On Examination OFD Object Film Distance O&G Obstetrics and Gynaecology OGD Oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy endoscopic examination of stomach and duodenum on At Night om In the Morning OM (R/L) Otitis Media Occipital Mental Ear infection OP Out Patient OPG Orthopantomogram OR Operating Room ORIF Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (of fracture) otc Over the counter (bought medication) P P Pulse Para Phosphorus Posterior PA Postero-Anterior Popliteal Artery Popliteal Aneurysm PC Post Cibum After a meal PCB Post Coital Bleeding Vaginal bleeding after intercourse PCC Post Coital Contraception "Morning after" pill PCV Pack Cell Volume PD Pancreatic Duct Peritoneal Dialysis PDA Patent Ductus Arteriosis PE Pulmonary Embolism Post Evacuation Pleural Effusion Blood clot on the lung PEG Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy PERLA Pupils equal and reacting to light and accommodation On examination of nervous system/eyes PET Positron Emission Tomography PFA Plain Film Abdomen Abdominal X-ray PF(R) Peak Flow (Rate) Breathing test – speed of expiration PH Past History PHx Previous Medical History PID Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc Gynaecological infection Slipped vertebral Disc PIIS Posterior Inferior Iliac Spine PIP Proximal Interphalangeal (Joint) PKD Polycystic Kidney Disease PM Post Mortem Examination Post Micturation Post Meridian PMH also PHx Previous Medical History PND Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnoea Short of breath at night PNS Paranasal Sinuses PO Per Orim By Mouth POP Progesterone Only Pill Plaster of Paris Private Outpatient Minipill Cast PORT Portable X-Ray PP Private Patient Placenta Praevia Postpartum PPH Postpartum Haemorrhage PPs Peripheral pulses Pulses felt for example in the feet, ankles etc… PR Per Rectum Rectal examination PPROM Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes PROM Premature Rupture of Membrane PSI Post Saline Injection PSIS Posterior Superior Iliac Spine PT Pregnancy Test PTA Prior to Admission PTB Pulmonary Tuberculosis PTCA Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty Opening up the main arteries of the heart using a balloon inserted usually near the groin PTH Parathyroid Hormone PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTT Prothrombin Time PU Peptic Ulcer Passed urine Per urethra Peptic Ulcer – Stomach or Duodenal Ulcer PUD Peptic Ulcer Disease PUJ Pelviureteric Junction PUO Pyrexia of Unknown Origin PV Per Vagina Portal Vein Vaginal examination PVD Peripheral Vascular Disease Arterial disease of the limbs PYP Pyrophosphate Q QA Quality Assurance QC Quality Control qds (or) qid Four times a day R R Right R (R) Respiration (Rate) Rate of breathing in breaths per minute RA Rheumatoid Arthritis RAI Radioimmunoassay RAO Right Anterior Oblique RAS Renal Artery Stenosis RBC Red Blood Cell RCM Right Costal Margin RDS Respiratory Distress Syndrome Difficulty in breathing – usually in premature babies RF Renal Failure RFT Renal (Kidney) Function tests OR Respiratory Function tests RHD Rheumatic Heart Disease RIF Right Iliac Fossa Right lower abdomen RIH Right Inguinal Hernia Hernia in right groin RK Right Kidney R/L Right/Left RLL Right Lower Lobe RLQ Right Lower Quadrant RLZ Right Lower Zone R/L HC Right/Left Hypochordrium Right/Left upper abdomen R/LIF Right/Left Iliacfossa Right/Left groin R/LOL or RLOP Right/Left occipito lateral / posterior Position of baby’s head in womb RN Registered Nurse R/O Rule Out ROI Region of Interest ROM Range of Movement Rupture of Membranes RPO Right Posterior Oblique RS Respiratory System RSI Repetitive Strain Injury Usually of wrist RT Real Time Radiation Therapy RTA Road Traffic Accident Car smash RUL Right Upper Lobe RUQ Right Upper Quadrant Right upper abdomen RUZ Right Upper Zone RV Right Ventricle RVF Right Ventricular Failure Rx Prescription or Treatment Usually prescription S S Supinator (jerk /reflex) Hitting the am with a patella hammer to test reflexes S Size SAH Subarachnoid Haemorrhage SB Spina Bifida Small Bowel SBA Subacute Bacterial Endocarditis SBG Serum Blood Glucose Blood Sugar Level SBO Small Bowel Obstruction SCJ Sterno Clavicular Joint SDH Subdural Haematoma sec seconds SEP Separation SI Supero Inferior SIJ Sacro Iliac Joint Silvermans Disease Non Accidental Injury (NAI) SLAP Lesion Superior Labrum Anteroposterior Tear SLR Straight Leg Raise SM Systolic Mumur SMA Superior Mesenteric Artery SMR Submucosal Resection Nasal operation SMV Superior Mesenteric Vein Submento Vertical SOA Swelling of Ankle SOB Short of Breath SOL Space Occupying Lesion Tumour, usually of head SOF Shaft of Femur SOM Secretary Otitis Media Middle ear infection/glue ear SOS In an Emergency SSD Source Skin Distance SR Sinus rhythm Normal heart beat ST Soft Tissue Stat Immediately STD Sexually Transmitted Disease STI Sexually Transmitted Infection SV Stroke Volume SVC Superior Vena Cava SVD Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery Normal delivery SVT Supra-Ventricular Tachycardia Sx Symptoms SXR Skull X-ray T T Triceps Jerk/Reflex Temperature Term Hitting the arm with a patella hammer to test reflexes T (usually with a circle with a dot in the centre) Trachea Central Breathing tube not displaced. If displaced, direction of displacement usually indicated by an arrow TAB Therapeutic Abortion TAH Total Abdominal Hysterectomy TATT Tired all the Time TB Tuberculosis TCI To come in-date or fact that a person is due to be admitted to hospital TD Tumour Dose tds (or) tid Three Times a Day TFTs Thyroid Function Test TGC Time Gain Compensation THR Total Hip Replacement TIA Transient Ischaemic Attack Small, short lived stroke – often recurrent TKR Total Knee Replacement TLC Tender Loving Care Treat only with symptom relief and nursing care, usually meaning that this is all that is needed. TM or Tm Tympanic Membrane Ear drum TMJ Tempero Mandibular Joint TOA Tubo-Ovarian Abscess TOC Tightness of Chest TOP Termination of Pregnancy TPN Total Parental Nutrtion Trauma Series Cervcal Spine, Chest and Pelvis Xray Frquently requested after major trauma Ts & As Tonsilectomy and Adenoidectomy TSH Thyroid Stimulating Hormone TShR Total Shoulder Replacement TTO/A To take home/away (medication) TU(R)P Transurethral (resection) of Prostate Operation on the prostate gland carried out through the penis TVH Total Vaginal Hysterectomy U U Umbilicus UA Upper Abdomen UBI Unknown Basal Insufficiency UC Ulcerative Colitis UE Upper Extremity U&Es Urea and Electrolytes Blood test for kidney function UL Upper Limb UO Under Observation UPJ Ureteropelvic Junction UR (No) Unit Record (Number) URTI Upper Respiratory Tract Infection US or U/S Ultrasound UT Urinary Tract UTI Urinary Tract Infection UVJ Ureterovesical Junction UWSD Under Water Seal Drainage UTWB Unable to Weight Bear V VA Vehicular Accident VDH Valvular Disease of the Heart VF Ventricular Fibrillation Rapid uncoordinated heart beat usually leading to collapse, and need for defibrillation VP Ventriculo-Peritoneal (shunt) VQ Ventilation / Pefusion (Lung Scan) VSD Ventricular Septal Defect V/S/TOP Vaginal suction termination of pregnancy VT Ventricular Tachycardia Fast heart beat VUJ Vesicoureteric Junction VUR Vesicoureteric Reflux W WBBS Whole Body Bone Scan WBC White Blood Cell WCC White Cell Count WOB Work of Breath Wt Weight X X Xiphoid Xe Xenon XR X-Ray XS Excess Y Y Yttrium ◄ Go back to General Radiograhy Page ◄ Go back to <a href="/" target="_self">wikiRadiography</a> Home Page These abbreviations are based on a list from the [Royal College of General Practitioners] the professional membership body for family doctors in the UK and abroad.

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