Medical Abbreviations

Gastroenterology Abbreviations

  • Ba: Barium
  • ERCP: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
  • BE: Barium enema
  • FOBT: Fecal occult blood test
  • BM: Bowel movement
  • GB: Gallbladder
  • BS: Bowel sounds
  • GERD: Gastroesophageal reflux disease
  • CBD: Common bile duct
  • GI: Gastrointestinal
  • CUC: Chronic ulcerative colitis
  • IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease
  • EGD: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
  • IBS: Irritable bowel syndrome
  • LES: Lower esophageal sphincter
  • N&V: Nausea and vomiting
  • NG: Nasogastric tube
  • O&P: Ova and parasites
  • PUD: Peptic ulcer disease
  • TPN: Total parenteral nutrition
  • UGI: Upper gastrointestinal series

Urology and Nephrology Abbreviations

  • ARF: Acute renal failure
  • DRE: Digital rectal exam
  • BPH: Benign prostatic hyperplasia
  • ED: Erectile disfunction
  • BUN: Blood urea nitrogen
  • ESRD: End-stage renal disease
  • Cath: Catheterization
  • ESWL: Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy
  • CRF: Chronic renal failure
  • GU: Genitourinary
  • C&S: Culture and sensitivity
  • HD: Hemodialysis
  • Cysto: Cystoscopy
  • HPV: Human papillomavirus
  • I&O: Intake and output
  • STD: Sexually transmitted disease
  • IVP: Intravenous pyelogram
  • STI: Sexually transmitted infection
  • KUB: Kidneys, ureters, bladder
  • TUR: Transurethral resection
  • PKD: Polycystic kidney disease
  • TURP: Transurethral resection of the prostate
  • PSA: Prostate-specific antigen
  • U/A, UA: Urinalysis
  • RP: Retrograde pyelogram
  • UC: Urine culture
  • UTI: Urinary tract infection
  • VCUG: Voiding cystourethrography
  • VD: Venereal disease
  • BPH: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (repeated, but included for completeness)

Obstetrics and Gynecology Abbreviations

  • AB: Abortion
  • EMB: Endometrial biopsy
  • BSE: Breast self-examination
  • ERT: Estrogen replacement therapy
  • CS, C-section: Cesarean section
  • FHR: Fetal heart rate
  • CVS: Chorionic villus sampling
  • FHT: Fetal heart tone
  • Cx: Cervix
  • FTND: Full term normal delivery
  • D&C: Dilation and curettage
  • GI, grav I: First pregnancy
  • GYN, gyn: Gynecology
  • IVF: In vitro fertilization
  • HDN: Hemolytic disease of the newborn
  • LMP: Last menstrual period
  • HPV: Human papillomavirus
  • NB: Newborn
  • HRT: Hormone replacement therapy
  • OB: Obstetrics
  • HSG: Hysterosalpingography
  • OB-GYN: Physicians practicing both obstetrics and gynecology
  • IUD: Intrauterine device
  • OCPs: Oral contraceptive pills
  • Pap: Papanicolaou test
  • PMS: Premenstrual syndrome
  • PI, para I: First birth
  • SB: Stillbirth
  • PID: Pelvic inflammatory disease
  • TAH-BSO: Total abdominal hysterectomy-bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy
  • PIH: Pregnancy induced hypertension
  • TSS: Toxic shock syndrome
  • PCOS: Polycystic ovarian syndrome

Neurology Abbreviations

  • AD: Alzheimer’s disease
  • CTE: Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
  • ADLs: Activities of daily living
  • CT scan: Computed tomography scan
  • ALS: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
  • CVA: Cerebrovascular accident
  • ANS: Autonomic nervous system
  • CVD: Cerebrovascular disease
  • CNS: Central nervous system
  • EEG: Electroencephalogram, electroencephalography
  • CP: Cerebral palsy
  • HA: Headache
  • CSF: Cerebrospinal fluid
  • ICP: Intracranial pressure
  • LP: Lumbar puncture
  • PNS: Peripheral nervous system
  • MS: Multiple sclerosis
  • SCI: Spinal cord injury
  • NCS: Nerve conduction study
  • TBI: Traumatic brain injury
  • NCV: Nerve conduction velocity
  • TIA: Transient ischemic attack
  • PET: Positron emission tomography
  • VZV: Varicella zoster virus

Psychological Abbreviations

  • DSM: Diagnostic and Statistical manual of mental disorders
  • PTSD: Post traumatic stress disorder
  • ADD: Attention deficit disorder
  • ADHD: Attention deficit hyperactive disorder
  • OCD: Obsessive –compulsive disorder

Endocrinology Abbreviations

  • ACTH: Adrenocorticotropic hormone
  • GTT: Glucose tolerance test
  • ADH: Antidiuretic hormone
  • HRT: Hormone replacement therapy
  • DI: Diabetes insipidus
  • IDDM: Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
  • DM: Diabetes mellitus
  • K+: Potassium
  • FBS: Fasting blood sugar
  • LH: Luteinizing hormone
  • FSH: Follicle-stimulating hormone
  • MSH: Melanocyte-stimulating hormone
  • GH: Growth hormone
  • HbA1c: Glycosylated hemoglobin
  • Na+: Sodium
  • RIA: Radioimmunoassay
  • NIDDM: Noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
  • T3: Triiodothyronine
  • NPH: Neutral protamine Hagedorn (insulin)
  • T4: Thyroxine
  • PRL: Prolactin
  • TFT: Thyroid function test
  • PTH: Parathyroid hormone
  • TSH: Thyroid-stimulating hormone
  • RAIU: Radioactive iodine uptake