Chapter 4 Acronyms, ● Distal- Away from (think
Eponyms,Homonyms, Multiples, and distance)
Plurals ● Superior- Above
● Inferior- Below
Acronyms- is a word (or abbreviation) MEDICAL ABBREVIATIONS
formed by the first letters or syllables of
other words. Abbreviations are as a much a part of
medical communication as words. The
Here are some common medical acronyms. following list contains the most common
● AMA: American Medical Association abbreviations that you may encounter
● AMA: Against medical advice during examination requisitions, on surgery
● CAT: Computerized axial schedules and in patient's charts:
tomography (scan)
● CAT: Children’s apperception test 1. AIDS- acquired immunodeficiency
● COPD: Chronic obstructive syndrome
pulmonary disease
2. AP- anteroposterior
● COPE: Chronic obstructive
pulmonary emphysema 3. ARC- AIDS-related complex
● ECT: Electroconvulsive therapy
(shock therapy) 4. ASAP- as soon as possible
● ECT: Enteric-coated tablet
● ECT: Euglobulin clot test MRI: 5. ASHD- arteriosclerotic heart disease
Magnetic resonance imaging
● MRI: Medical Research Institute 6. BE- barium enema
● MRI: Medical records information
7. BID- twice daily
Antonyms
Prefix What it means 8. BP- blood pressure
● Ab- Moving away from
(abduction) 9. Bx- biopsy
● Ad- Drawing toward
(adduction) 10. C- with
● Anterior- Front
● Posterior- Back 11. CA- cancer
● Bio- Life
12. CAD- coronary artery disease
● Necro- Death
● Brady- Slow 13. CBC- complete blood count
● Tachy- Fast
● Cephalo- Head (upward) 14. cc- cubic centimeter
● Caudo- Tail (downward)
● Endo- Within, inside 15. CCU- coronary care unit
● Exo- Outside
● Eu- Normal, well 16. CHF- congestive heart failure
● Dys- Difficult, unwell 17. cm- centimeter
● Hyper- Above or excessive
● Hypo- Below or deficient 18. CNS- central nervous system
● Leuko- White
● Melano- Black 19. COPO- chronic obstructive
● Pre- Before or in front of pulmonary disease
● Post- After or behind
● Proximal- Near (think 20. CPR- cardiopulmonary resuscitation
proximity)
21. CS- central supply 49. met- metastasis
22. C-section- cesarean section 50. MI- myocardial infarction (heart
attack)
23. CSF- cerebrospinal fluid
51. mm- millimeter
24. CT- computed tomography
52. MRI;MR- magnetic resonance
25. CVA- cerebrovascular accident imaging
26. CXR- chest x-ray 53. NG- nasogastric
27. DOA- dead on arrival 54. NICU- neonatal intensive care unit
28. DOB- date of birth 55. nос- night
29. DX- diagnosis 56. nро- nothing by mouth
30. ECG EKG- electrocardiogram 57. MD- medical doctor
31. EEG- electroencephalogram 58. DB- obstetrics
32. EMG- electromyogram 59. OP- outpatient
33. ENT- ear, nose and throat 60. OR- operating room
34. ER:ED- emergency 61. OTC- over the counter
room/department
62. PA- posteroanterior
35. FPU- flat plate and upright
63. PAR-post anesthesia recovery
36. FUO- fever of undetermined origin
64. PE- physical examination
37. GI- gastrointestinal
65. peds- pediatrics
38. HH- hiatal hernia
66. ΤΙΑ- transient ischemic attack
39. HIV- human immunodeficiency virus
67. TID- three times daily
40. HX- history
68. TPR- temperature, pulse, and
41. ICCU- intensive coronary care unit respiration
42. ICU- intensive care unit 69. Tx- treatment
43. IM- intramuscular 70. UA- urinalysis
44. IV- intravenous 71. UGI- upper gastrointestinal series
45. IVP- intravenous pyelogram 72. URI- upper respiratory infection
46. KUB- kidney, uterus, and bladder 73. UTI- urinary tract infection
47. lat- lateral 74. VD- venereal disease
48. LMP- last menstrual period 75. γ/ο- years' old
76. PID- pelvic inflammatory disease get) its [Link]
eponymos: epi [to] + onyma
77. p/o- postoperative [name]). In the medical field,
a disease, sign, operation,
78. post-OP- after surgery surgical instrument,
79. pro-OP- before surgery syndrome, or test is often
named after a certain
80. prn- as needed physician, surgeon, scientist,
or researcher.
81. PT- physical therapy
Apgar score: Named after Virginia Apgar,
82. pt- patient American anesthesiologist (1909–1974). A
numbering expressing the condition of a
83. QID- four times daily
newborn infant at 1 minute of age and again
84. R/D- rule out at 5 minutes.
Alzheimer’s disease: Named for Alois
85. req- requisition Alzheimer, a German neurologist (1864–
1915). A progressive degenerative disease
86. ROM- range of motion of the brain.
Cushing’s syndrome: Named for Harvey
87. RX- treatment: prescription Williams Cushing, American surgeon
(1869–1939). A complex of symptoms
88. RXT- registered x-ray technologist
caused by hyperactivity of the adrenal
89. RRT- registered radiologic cortex.
technologist
90. RSO-radiation safety officer Down syndrome: Named after John
Haydon Down, English physician (1828–
91. S- without 1896). A chromosomal disorder, also called
trisomy 21, formerly called mongolism.
92. SIDS- sudden infant death Gleason grade: Named for Donald
syndrome Gleason, American pathologist (1920–
2008). A rating of prostate cancer assigning
93. SOB- short of breath
scores of 1–5 for degrees of primary and
94. S/P- status post secondary growth.
Hodgkin’s disease: A form of malignant
95. STAT- immediately lymphoma. Named for Thomas Hodgkin, an
English physician (1798–1866).
96. STD- sexually transmitted disease
Homans’ sign: Named for John Homans,
97. Sx- symptoms American surgeon (1877–1954). Pain on
98. TB- tuberculosis dorsiflexion of the foot; a sign of thrombosis
of deep veins of the calf.
Ligament of Treitz: Located in the
intestinal tract. Named after Wenzel Treitz,
Eponyms are an unusual and a Czech physician (1819–1872).
interesting facet of the plural Lyme disease: A multisystemic disorder
world. An eponym is a transmitted by ticks. Named after a place,
person, place, or thing from Old Lyme, Connecticut, where the disease
which a person, place, or was first reported in 1975.
thing gets (or is reputed to
Peyronie’s disease: Named for Francois
de la Peyronie, a French surgeon (1678–
1747). It means a deformity or curvature of WORD WHAT IT MEANS
the penis caused by fibrous tissue within the
tunica albuginea. When distortion of the Psychosis Mental disorder
penis is severe it causes erectile
dysfunction or severe pain during Sycosis Inflammation of hair follicles
intercourse.
Parkinson’s disease: Named for James Radical Extreme or drastic
Parkinson, English physician (1755–1824).
A group of neurological disorders including Radicle A vessel’s smallest branch
tremors and muscular rigidity.
Venus A planet
Venous Pertaining to a vein
Medical Rule 1: Change the a ending to
ae In other words, vertebra becomes
vertebrae. By adding the e to the plural, the
Homonyms Similar to the antonyms is “aah” sound ending pronunciation becomes
the homonym. A homonym is a word that “eh.”
has the same pronunciation as another, but Axilla, axillae
a different meaning, and in most cases a Bursa, bursae
different spelling (from the Greek Conjunctiva, conjunctivae
homonymos: homos [same] + onyma Scapula, scapulae
[name]. Sclera, sclerae
Medical Rule 2: Change the um ending
Word What It Means to a The a at the end is pronounced
Cholic An acid, related to bile
“aah.”
Colic Severe abdominal pain
Humerus A long bone in the upper arm
Acetabulum, acetabula
Humorous Funny Antrum, antra
Ileum A portion of the colon Atrium, atria
Ilium A part of the pelvic bone Bacterium, bacteria
Jewel A precious stone Diverticulum, diverticula
Joule A unit of energy Labium, labia
Lice A parasite Medium, media
Lyse To break Medical Rule 3: Change the us ending
Loop An oval or circular ring, by bending to i The i at the end is pronounced
Loupe Magnifying glass or lens
“eye.”
Mnemonic To assist in remembering
Pneumonic Pertaining to the lungs (the “p” is
Alveolus, alveoli
silent) Bronchus, bronchi
Mucus Secretion of the mucous membranes Coccus, cocci
Mucous Adjective form of mucus (resembling Embolus, emboli
mucus) Fungus, fungi
Plane Anatomic (imaginary) level Glomerulus, glomeruli
Plain Not fancy (plain x-rays) Meniscus, menisci
Plural More than one
Syllabus, syllabi (but syllabuses is also
Pleural Pertaining to the lung
acceptable)
The exceptions to this rule include the Verruca vulgaris, verrucae vulgares
following: There are (of course!) some exceptions
Corpus, corpora to all these rules:
Meatus, meatus (stays the same Cornu, cornua
Plexus, plexuses Pons, pontes
Viscus, viscera Vas, vasa
Medical Rule 4: Change the is ending
to es The es is pronounced “eez.” English rules of forming plurals
Analysis, analyses Many medical terms apply basic English
Diagnosis, diagnoses rules for forming plurals. Thank
Exostosis, exostoses goodness! You will no doubt recognize
Metastasis, metastases many of these common English
Prognosis, prognoses language plural rules.
Testis, testes English Rule 1: Add an s
The exceptions to this rule are: Bronchoscope, bronchoscopes
Epididymis, epididymides Disease, diseases
Femur, femora Endoscope, endoscopes
Iris, irides Finger, fingers
Medical Rule 5: Change the ma or Vein, veins
oma ending to mata
Carcinoma, carcinomata English Rule 2: When a term ends in
Condyloma, condylomata s, x, ch, or sh, add es.
Fibroma, fibromata
Leiomyoma, leiomyomata Crutch – Crutches
In the Rule 5 examples, the English
plural is also acceptable: Distress – Distresses
condylomas, carcinomas, leiomyomas, Patch – Patches
and fibromas.
Medical Rule 6: When a term ends in Stress – Stresses
yx, ax, or ix, change the x to c and add
es English Rule 3: When a term ends in y
Appendix, appendices after a consonant, change the y to I
Calyx, calyces and add es.
Calix, calices (Strange but true, both are
correct) Artery – Arteries
Thorax, thoraces Ovary – Ovaries
Medical Rule 7: When a term ends in
nx, change the x to g and add es Therapy – Therapies
Larynx, larynges
Phalanx, phalanges English Rule 4: When a term ends in o
Medical Rule 8: For Latin medical terms after a consonant, add nes.
that consist of a noun and adjective,
Comedo – Comedones
pluralize both terms
Condyloma acuminatum, condylomata Exceptions:
acuminata
Placenta previa, placentae previae Embryo – Embryos
Placebo – Placebos Plantar – refers to the sole of the
foot.
Terms Used to Describe Opposites Volar – refers to the palm of the
hand or sole of the foot.
1. Medial – part of a structure/organ 12. Supine – position assumed when
that lies nearest to the midline of lying on the back with face up, or
the body. referring to hands with palms up.
Lateral – part of a Prone – lying face down, or
structure/organ that lies farthest referring to hands with palms
away from the body. down.
2. Anterior – towards the front or in 13. Longitudinal – lengthwise or
the front part of the body, along the long axis.
structure, or organ. Transverse – across or at right
Posterior – towards the back or angles to the long axis.
in the back part of the body, 14. Vertical – perpendicular to the
structure, or organ. horizon.
3. Ventral – in human anatomy, Horizontal – parallel to the
refers to the front. horizon.
Dorsal – refers to the back.
4. Superior – refers to the upper Terms Describing Body
part or part nearer to the head. Movements and Position
Inferior – refers to the lower part
or the part farther away from the 15. Adduct – to lead, draw, or bring
head. across or towards the median
5. Internal – on the inside of the line.
body. Abduct – to draw away from the
External – on the outer side of median line of the body (ab-
the body. away).
6. Proximal – part of a structure 16. Flex – to bend.
close to the source of origin. Extend – to straighten or stretch
Distal/Terminal – part farther out.
away from the source of origin. 17. Invert – to turn in or inwards.
7. Visceral – relating to an organ or Evert – to turn out.
itself. 18. Circumduct – to move in a
Parietal – relating to the wall of a circular direction.
structure. 19. Pronate – to turn the hand palm
8. Intrinsic – part of an organ or down.
structure itself. Supinate – to turn the hand palm
Extrinsic – originating outside an
up.
organ.
20. Antero-posterior (AP) – entering the
9. Cephalic – refers to the head.
front body surface and exiting the
Caudal – refers to the end.
back surface.
10. Cephalad – towards the head.
Caudad – towards the tail end. Postero-anterior (PA) – the CR is
11. Palmar – refers to the palm of entering from the posterior body
the hand.
surface and exiting on the anterior
part.
21. Rotate – to turn along one axis.
Oblique – slanting or inclined
angular view of a surface/object.
22. Lateral Position – always named by
the side of the patient placed closest
to the film.
Decubitus Position – indicates that
the patient is lying down, and the CR
is directed horizontally.
23. View – the projection we see when
viewing the image.
