Medical Terminology Simplified

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APPENDIX

E

Abbreviations

and Symbols

ABBREVIATIONS

The table below lists common abbreviations used in health care and related fields along with their meanings.

Abbreviation Meaning Abbreviation Meaning

Continued

AIDS acquired immunodeficiency

syndrome

AK above the knee

ALL acute lymphocytic leukemia

ALS amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

(also called Lou Gehrig

disease)

ALT alanine aminotransferase

AM, a.m in the morning or before noon

AML acute myelogenous leukemia

ANS autonomic nervous system

ant anterior

AOM acute otitis media

AP anteroposterior

ARDS acute respiratory distress

syndrome

ARF acute renal failure

ARMD, AMD age-related macular degeneration

AS aortic stenosis

AS* left ear

ASD atrial septal defect

ASHD arteriosclerotic heart disease

AST angiotensin sensitivity test

Ast astigmatism

AU* both ears

AV atrioventricular; arteriovenous

A

A&P anatomy and physiology;

auscultation and percussion

A, B, AB, O blood types in ABO blood group

AAA abdominal aortic aneurysm

AB, Ab, ab antibody; abortion

ABC aspiration, biopsy, cytology

ABG arterial blood gas

a.c.* before meals

ACL anterior cruciate ligament

ACTH adrenocorticotropic hormone

AD* right ear

ad lib. as desired

ADH antidiuretic hormone

(vasopressin)

ADHD attention-deficit hyperactivity

disorder

ADLs activities of daily living

AE above the elbow

AED automatic external defibrillator

AF atrial fibrillation

AFB acid-fast bacillus (TB organism)

AGN acute glomerulonephritis

AI artificial insemination

AICD automatic implantable car

dioverter-defibrillator

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