Medical Terminology Simplified

Abbreviations

This section introduces body structure and abbreviations related to radiology and their meanings.

Additional Medical Terms

The following are additional terms related to the structure of the body. Recognizing and learning these terms will help
you understand the connection between a pathological condition, its diagnosis, and the rationale behind the method
of treatment selected for a particular disorder.

Diseases and Conditions

Band of scarlike tissue that forms between two surfaces inside the body and causes

them to stick together (See Fig. 2–5.)

Adhesions develop when the body’s repair mechanisms respond to any tissue disturbance,

such as surgery, infection, trauma, or radiation. Although adhesions can occur anywhere

in the body, they form most commonly in the abdomen after abdominal surgery, inflam-

mation, or injury.

50 CHAPTER 2• Body Structure

Abbreviation Meaning Abbreviation Meaning

Body Structure and Related

AP anteroposterior LUQ left upper quadrant

Bx, bx biopsy PA posteroanterior; pernicious

anemia; pulmonary artery;

physician assistant

LAT, lat lateral RLQ right lower quadrant

LLQ left lower quadrant RUQ right upper quadrant

Radiology

CT computed tomography PET positron emission tomography

CXR chest x-ray, chest radiograph US ultrasound; ultrasonography

MRI magnetic resonance imaging SPECT single-photon emission computed

tomography

adhesion

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Figure 2-5Abdominal adhesions.