Physiology Abbreviations and Symbols – Page 1

Vocabulary flashcards covering the abbreviations, symbols, and measurement conditions introduced in the physiology lecture notes.

P

Pressure

V

Volume

f

Frequency or rate of breathing

t

Time

‾ (overbar)

Indicates a mean or average value (e.g., P̄ = mean pressure)

· (overdot)

Indicates a time factor (e.g., Ṽ = volume per unit time or flow)

% sign

Denotes percent of predicted normal

V (gas phase)

Gas volume (pressure, temperature, and water-vapor saturation must be stated)

F (gas phase)

Fractional concentration (usually dry)

A (gas qualifier)

Alveolar

Q

Volume (flow) of blood

C (blood phase)

Concentration in blood phase

S (blood phase)

Saturation in blood phase

a (blood qualifier)

Arterial

c (blood qualifier)

Capillary

p (blood qualifier)

Pulmonary

v (blood qualifier)

Venous

s (blood qualifier)

Shunt

C (mechanics)

Compliance

G

Conductance

R

Resistance

W

Work

B

Barometric (pressure)

E

Expired

DS

Dead space

L (mechanics)

Lung

I

Inspired

T (mechanics)

Tidal

STPD

Standard temperature and pressure, dry (0 °C, 760 mm Hg, no water vapor)

BTPS

Body temperature (37 °C), barometric pressure (760 mm Hg), saturated with water vapor

A (modifier)

Alveolar

ab

Abdomen

am

Ambient

ao

Airway opening

aw

Airway

bs

Body surface

di

Diaphragm

dyn

Dynamic

exp

Expiratory

el

Elastic

es

Esophageal

L (modifier)

Transpulmonary

m

Mouth

max

Maximum