Additional Resources for Interpreters

Introduction

Many people assume that anyone who is bilingual can interpret, and that when
interpreters come across an unfamiliar term all they have to do is look it up in “the
dictionary.” Interpreters who have been working for very long know that there is no
single dictionary where all terms can be found, and no matter how many dictionaries are
available, it is still necessary to use other resources to find the specialized terminology
needed. This section will explore some of those resources, but first, however, the
dictionaries that every interpreter should have available for interpreting assignments and
ordinary research will be discussed.

The medical interpreter’s basic library should ideally include a general monolingual
dictionary in each working language, and a general bilingual dictionary for the
combination of English and each working language. It is also a good idea to have at least
one English medical dictionary (Dorland, Stedman, and Mosby are leading publishers of
medical references, and all of them have excellent dictionaries) and, if possible, a
monolingual medical dictionary in each working language as well. A reference for
laypersons, such as the Mayo Clinic Family Health Book or the Harvard Medical School
Family Health Guide, would also be helpful. Additional English references for
researching more technical terms, such as the Physician’s Desk Reference and the Merck
Manual, are available at most public libraries. Major medical journals and medical
textbooks can also be consulted at public and university libraries, as well as online.

Interpreters in major languages, such as French, Japanese, and Russian, have a multitude
of monolingual and bilingual dictionaries at their disposal (assuming they can afford
them). In addition to general dictionaries, there are many different specialized medical
references (i.e., not just dictionaries of general medicine, but also dictionaries of terms in
oncology, genetics, ophthalmology, etc.). Unfortunately, for many languages of limited
diffusion, an interpreter is lucky to find a comprehensive general bilingual dictionary, let
alone a specialized medical dictionary. Therefore, interpreters in these languages must be
even more creative than their colleagues in finding other resources for medical
terminology.

One readily available resource is newspapers and magazines. Stories about health issues
abound in the press these days, and they can be very useful to interpreters. Make sure to
read all the articles on medical topics in the newspapers and magazines available to you
in English and your other language, and make it a point to watch television
documentaries and listen to radio programs that touch on any subject of healthcare.
Pamphlets offered to the public in doctor’s offices, hospitals, and public health agencies
are another valuable source of information, and many of them have been translated into
other languages (the translations may not be the best quality, but it is still possible to find
correct terminology within them). While reading these publications, be sure to jot down
any terms that would be difficult to translate into your other working language so that
they can be researched later.
Many newspapers and magazines in the U.S. and abroad have websites where excerpts
can be read. News broadcasts and other programming from around the world can be
listened to on your home computer, if it has audio capability. There are a variety of
specialized medical websites in English and many of the major languages of the world,
where background information can be obtained regarding diseases, medications, surgical
procedures and other treatments. Major hospitals, medical schools, and public health
agencies usually provide information for the public on their websites. Examples of
English sites are WebMD, Harvard Health and Medline. Support groups for individuals
suffering from certain illnesses and conditions are also active on the Internet, and their
discussion forums are very informative. All of these are good sources of medical
terminology, especially for new diseases and technologies that have not appeared in print
dictionaries yet.

Human resources should not be overlooked when trying to find the meaning or correct
translation of a technical term. Interpreters who work within a healthcare facility should
make good use of the human resources available to them in the doctors, nurses, medical
technicians and other providers who work in the hospital. Many people who are natives
of other countries come to the United States to study and obtain a medical degree, so they
bring with them linguistic resources that can be very valuable to an interpreter.
Experienced medical interpreters have a wealth of information, as well, and many of
them are willing to share their knowledge generously at conferences and workshops, or
on email lists sponsored by professional associations. Interpreters need to develop a
network of consultants to whom they can turn when they need help: friends and relatives
who work in the health care field, leaders of immigrant communities with specialized
knowledge, professors from medical schools or nursing programs, and other healthcare
professionals, both in the U.S. and abroad can be extremely valuable resources.

One way to develop this network is to look for courses being offered in the community.
Not only will they provide useful background information for medical interpreting
assignments, but they will also serve as a point of contact with other people interested in
medicine and healthcare. Anything from a half-day CPR class to an AIDS awareness
conference to a class in medical terminology or biology at a community college can be
beneficial to a healthcare interpreter’s continuing education.
 How to Learn Terminology

Have you ever had a patient or provider use a term you did not understand? Or have you
found yourself “drawing a blank” when searching your memory for the translation of a
familiar term? These two situations come up all too often in the medical interpreter’s
work. In particular, interpreters are constantly encountering new terms that they need to
remember for the future. The best practice is to make a note of the problem term, and
once a definition or translation has been found, to record it in a permanent glossary.
Unfortunately, even if you record a term in your glossary, you may not remember it when
it comes up again on an interpreting assignment if you do not use it for awhile.

Interpreters must rely on two kinds of memory in their work: long-term and short-term.
You may be most aware of short-term memory while you are interpreting, because it is
the skill that you use to recall the parties' words. Long-term memory comes into play, as
well, both for understanding the source language message and for recalling equivalent
terms in the target language. This section will focus on long-term memory, specifically in
connection with the retrieval of terminology.

There are a variety of techniques that can be used to enhance the memory, known as
mnemonic devices. As noted in the section on consecutive interpreting skills, one
common technique is to develop an association with the term in question. The term can
be linked to a personal experience, such as the circumstances under which the term was
first heard. For example, you may recall the room where you were sitting and the people
who were present the first time you learned the term “bypass surgery,” and every time
you hear the term again, you call up the images and sounds of that experience.

An emotional association can also be very effective. Any time you have been extremely
embarrassed by not knowing how to interpret a term, you are more likely to recall that
term in the future because of the memory of your humiliation. Humor is another emotion
that can be an aid to memory. If you deliberately create a humorous association, such as
an absurd image, rhyme, or story to go with the term, you will remember it more easily.
For example, to remember the term “cryptococcosis” (an infectious disease), you might
imagine a rooster (cock) inside a crypt. To remember “basal ganglia” you might make a
note that it sounds like “baseball gang.”

Word families are another type of association. In the field of medicine, some knowledge
of Latin and Greek roots is essential because of the number of terms that contain them.
Thus, if you know that the stem “cardio” refers to the heart, you will know the meaning
of the terms “cardiac arrest,” “cardiology,” and “electrocardiogram.” If you know that the
ending “-algia” means “pain” and the root “cephal” means head, you will know that
“cephalalgia” is a headache. The following section on Word Formation will elaborate
on this subject in much greater detail.

Using as many senses as possible to develop associations with a term is an effective

mnemonic technique. Visual associations are among the most common ones that people
naturally develop, linking a term to a color or shape, or recalling how it looked when it
was first encountered (by its placement on the page, nearby illustrations, typeface, etc.).
Auditory associations are also used very often by students who make up rhymes or chants
to memorize lists of terms. In Russia, language teachers developed a technique of playing
music in the classroom to enhance their students’ ability to learn. Less attention is given
to the other three senses, touch, smell and taste, but they can also be used effectively to
create conducive learning environments. Studies have shown that smell, in particular, is
particularly potent as a stimulant to memory. Teachers of young children have found that
learning materials that use letters and numbers formed with sandpaper or other material
that is stimulating to the tactile sense can aid in the learning process, since children of
this age are especially receptive to such stimuli and tend to be kinesthetic learners; this
may also be true, although to a lesser degree, with some adults.

Although none of this has been tested with specific reference to adult memorization of
terminology, it might be a good idea to experiment with using a variety of senses to
commit newly acquired medical terms to memory. If you have a list of terms, you can say
them out loud, develop a mental image of the appearance of the words on the page, and
practice writing them repeatedly. Other ideas are to use colored flash cards, play music,
or light an aromatic candle while you study the terms. If you repeat the same stimuli each
time you study the terms, it may aid in your recall.

Repetition is known to be an important tool in long-term learning. Stored data tends to

fade over time, so acquired knowledge needs to be revisited frequently to make sure it is
easily accessible. You may recall the jungle analogy that was mentioned in the chapter on
consecutive interpreting: just as constant walking on a path in the jungle keeps it clear of
vines and makes passage easy, frequent repetition of exposure to medical topics and
terminology keeps their memory fresh. As mentioned earlier, reading extensively is a
good way to increase the likelihood of encountering terms frequently and, thus,
strengthening associations with them.

It has already been mentioned that you should make a note of terms as you come across
them, and then record them in a permanent glossary after you have found their definition
and equivalent in your other working language. If you have not already developed this
habit, start now. Always carry a small notebook with you on interpreting assignments so
that you can jot down unfamiliar terms (most interpreters take notes as an aid to their
short-term memory, so the same notebook can be used for this purpose). As for the
permanent glossary, it can be as basic as a shoebox full of index cards, or as sophisticated
as an electronic database using the latest database management software. In fact, there is
software designed specifically for translators and interpreters to maintain multilingual
terminology databases. Whatever method you use, it should enable you to update your
glossary periodically without changing the alphabetization, and it should be cross-
referenced for easy search and retrieval. It is a good idea to sit down and review your
medical glossary on a regular basis, as well, especially when preparing for an assignment
in which technical terms are likely to be used. You may even want to use the same
associations (colors, music, aromas, etc.) that you employed the first time to reinforce
your memory of the terms. You may also want to have multiple glossaries in different
medical fields. Just remember that it does not do you much good to have a huge glossary
containing thousands of terms if you cannot find what you need when you are looking for
it.

Exercises for Memorizing New Terms

1) Read the following list and then cover it up. Wait 5 minutes and try to recall all of the
terms.

a) neuritis
b) bone graft
c) colonoscopy
d) scarlet fever
e) endomorph
f) jaundice
g) midstream specimen

What did you do during the 5 minutes? Were you repeating the terms to yourself
periodically? Did you develop a mental image of the list on the page? Did you use any
mnemonic techniques to help you?

2) Now have someone read the following list of terms out loud to you. Try to recall the
list after waiting 5 minutes.

a) otoscope
b) antibody
c) nitroglycerin
d) dysentery
e) defibrillator
f) optic nerve
g) ulna

Again, analyze what you did during the 5-minute wait. What techniques did you use to
remember the terms? Were they different from the method you used for the written list?

3) List (a) contains some Latin and Greek roots with their meanings in English. Try to
determine the meaning of the terms in List (b), based on these roots.

a) arthro- = joints; brady- = slowness; nephr- = kidney; hypo- = below, less than;
–ectomy = removal; kine- = having to do with movement; -ostomy = making an
opening in; gastro- = stomach; -scopy = viewing with an instrument

b) nephrectomy; hypokinesia; bradycardia; arthroscopy; gastrostomy

4) Devise a mental image to help you remember the following terms and share that
image with the other course participants:

a) bone spur
 b) laparotomy
c) fluoroscope
d) gingivitis
e) sphygmomanometer

5) Read the following passages and note how the context helps you understand the
meaning of the technical terms that are italicized:

a) Our clinical observations and initial pilot work suggest that factors common
among other insomnia subtypes, such as conditioned bedtime arousal, erratic
sleep/wake scheduling, and spending too much time in bed likely perpetuate the
sleep problems of these patients. Over the past decade, we have developed,
refined, and repeatedly tested a cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that has
proven effective for reducing sleep disturbances perpetuated by such underlying
cognitive/behavioral mechanisms. Cognitive-behavioral therapy combines
cognitive therapy, which can modify or eliminate thought patterns contributing to
the person's symptoms, with behavioral therapy, which aims to help the person
change his or her behavior. The major objective of this project is to determine the
efficacy of CBT insomnia treatment for interrupting the disturbed nocturnal sleep
and daytime pain, fatigue and distress symptom complex that these patients
suffer. [insomnia = sleep problems; cognitive = related to thought]

b) The patient is positioned on an examination table, and a clear gel is applied to the
abdomen to help the transducer make secure contact with the skin. The sound
waves produced by the transducer cannot penetrate air, so the gel helps to
eliminate air pockets between the transducer and the skin. The sonographer or
radiologist then presses the transducer firmly against the skin and sweeps it back
and forth to image the area of interest. When the examination is complete, the
patient may be asked to dress and wait while the ultrasound images are reviewed,
either on film or on a TV monitor. Often, however, the sonographer or radiologist
is able to review the ultrasound images in real time, as they are acquired, and the
patient can be released immediately. [transducer = device that emits sound waves;
sonographer = technician who conducts ultrasound examinations]

c) Exposure to certain pollutants and sunlight may increase the risk of developing
skin cancer. A recent experiment showed that polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs
(an industrial waste product) mixed with ultraviolet rays, produced non-malignant
tumors in mice. Scientists exposed hairless mice to soil from a landfill dump
contaminated with PCBs for 77 days. Some of the mice were then exposed to
solar ultraviolet radiation, which causes skin cancer in humans, for five days a
week over 28 weeks. The results revealed that the combination led to a rapid
development of non-melanoma tumors even on parts of the mice that had not been
exposed to UV radiation. The tumors did not turn into squamous cell carcinomas,
the more deadly type of skin cancer. Mice exposed to PCBs, but kept out of the
sunlight, did not develop these tumors. [polychlorinated biphenyls = an industrial
waste product found in landfills; ultraviolet rays = rays found in sunlight; non-
melanoma = non-malignant skin tumor; squamous cell carcinoma = malignant
skin tumors].
 Word Formation

A word is the smallest, meaningful linguistic unit that can be individually used in the
English language. English has more than 500 thousand words. It is hard to memorize
even a tenth of them. Knowing the basic ways in which English words are formed will
help interpreters to learn, guess, recognize and remember new words. It is particularly
helpful for medical interpreters because there are so many medical terms, and most of
them are formed according to the rules that will be discussed below.

Root

Roots are the most stable elements and carry the primary meanings of English words.
Some roots can stand by themselves, so they are called free roots. Free roots are also
known as simple words, such as a, the, in, on, when, sun, moon, live and book. They are
only a small fraction of all English words, but they are used most frequently, for they
form the basis on which other words are formed. Although new meanings may be added
to these simple words, very few free roots are created. Most derivational words come
from roots formed with various affixes, such as livelihood, lively and liven. Free roots can
also be combined with each other to form compound words, such as bookcase, bookshelf
and bookworm.

Some roots cannot stand by themselves. They have to be bound with other elements of
English words, so they are called bound roots. Take "neur," for example; we know that it
means nerve, but it is not a word by itself. However, with different affixes it can form
many words, including neuritis, neurology, neuron and neurosis. Some bound roots
come from the old English, but most bound roots originate from Latin or Greek,
especially in medical terms. Some common bound roots are listed at the end of this
section. Memorizing these bound roots will help you recognize many other words that are
derived from them.

Affix

There are just a few affixes in English that have only grammatical functions, but no
meaning, such as -s and -es that indicate the plural forms, -ed that indicates the past tense,
-ing that indicates a continuous tense, -er that indicates a comparative degree, and -est
that indicates the superlative degree. These affixes are called inflectional affixes, and they
do not form new words.

Most affixes have both grammatical functions and lexical meanings, but their meanings
are secondary compared to roots. They are called derivational affixes, which also
determine the parts of speech of the words. Affixes are divided into prefixes and suffixes,
according to their position in the word; that is, prefixes are added to the beginning of
words and suffixes are added to the end of words. The bold letters in the words below
are prefixes: dehydrate, dioxide, exocrine, malnutrition, poliuria, and triceps. In contrast,
the bold letters in the following words are suffixes: bronchitis, cirrhosis, leukemia,
neoplasm, nephroptosis, and ovariectomy. All of the above-mentioned morphemes of
English words and their relations can be more clearly seen in the graph below.

free root
Root
bound root

inflectional affix

Affix prefix
derivational affix
suffix

Derivation

English words are formed in several ways, of which derivation is the most common and
important. Roots are the base, to which prefixes or suffixes, or both, are added to form
new words, which are called derivatives or derivational words. For example, the root
duc- and its variant duct- mean “to lead”. When different prefixes are added to it, we
have conduct, introduce, produce, reduce, abduct, deduce and induce, among many
others. When both prefixes and suffixes are added, we have conductive, conductance,
conductible, conductivity, conduction, conductor, semiconductor, nonconductor, and
the list goes on. When you master the common roots, prefixes and suffixes, you have the
three keys to a strong command of English.

It is notable that English words, especially medical terms, are often derived from Latin
and Greek. If your mother tongue is not one of the Romance languages, you need to
spend more time learning the common roots, prefixes and suffixes listed below. It is also
notable that some affixes have the same meaning, but some have more than one meaning.
For instance, the prefixes un-, in-, im-, il-, ir-, dis- used in adjectives all signify
opposition, as in untreated, infertile, immobile, illogical, irregular and disagreeable;
whereas the prefix de- has four main meanings: 1) away, as in dehydrate, 2) down, as in
degrade, 3) entirely, as in defunct, and 4) reverse, as in decompose.

Some rules apply to the use of such prefixes, such as using im- before adjectives that
begin with m, il- before adjectives that begin with l, and ir- before adjectives that begin
with r to form opposite adjectives. However, whether un- or in- should be used is
arbitrary or customary, as in unavoidable, uncomplicated, inanimate, and incompetent;
or even interchangeable, as in the words inalienable and unalienable. Such words for
which no regulations can be found, have to be memorized.

Prefixes have meanings, rather than grammatical functions, except for en- (before p and
b, em- is used), be- and a-. When en- or em- is added to certain nouns and adjectives, it
makes them verbs, as in enslave, endanger, empower, embody, enable, ensure, embellish
and embitter. When be- is added to certain nouns and adjectives, it also makes them
verbs, as in befriend, becloud, benumb, becalm, benumb and belittle. When a- is added
to certain verbs and nouns, it makes them adjectives, as in asleep, astray, astir, afire, and
afoot.

Some suffixes have grammatical functions rather than meanings, such as -tion, -ity,
-ment that make words into nouns; -ous and -al that make words into adjectives; and -ly
and -wise that make words into adverbs. Some suffixes have both grammatical functions
and meanings, such as -algia, -gen, -genic, -less, -logy, and -oma. Once you have learned
the meanings and functions of all the basic roots, prefixes and suffixes, you will be
amazed at how many more medical terms you will be able to understand without looking
them up in a dictionary.

Compounding

To create a new word by combining two or more individual words together is called
compounding, and a word created in this way is called a compound word, such as
greenhouse. The meaning of a compound is not always simply the sum of the meanings
of the original words, but may have a new meaning. For example, a darkroom is not just a
dark room, and a greenhorn does not mean a green horn. Therefore, it is not reliable to
guess at the meaning of a compound; it should be looked up in a dictionary.

Take a look at these compounds that are commonly encountered in medical interpreting:
afterbirth, broad-spectrum, bypass, chickenpox, cowpox, eardrum, fingertip, inlay,
knock-kneed, offspring, over-diagnosis, pacemaker, round-the-clock, sleepwalker,
smallpox, stillborn, stone-deaf, uptake, and work-up.

Unlike some other new words, usually we can easily remember the compounds that we
have just learned, for their meanings often make sense and it is not difficult to spell them,
although we may not remember if they have a hyphen or not. For interpreters who deal
mainly with the spoken language, however, it does not really matter whether or not there
is a hyphen in a word. In any event, the hyphen tends to be dropped after the compound
becomes more widely accepted and used for some time.

Shortening

To make words shorter by cutting off some syllables or combining the initial letters of
several words is called abbreviation or, simply, shortening. Modern times value speed so
much that shortening has become the most popular way of making new words in all
walks of life since the Second World War. There are primarily four different forms of
shortening: clipping, initialism, acronyms, and blends.

Clipping
This refers to simply cutting off one or more syllables of a long word; the remaining
word is a clipped word. It is usually used to clip the unstressed syllable(s). To clip the last
syllable(s) of a word is called apocopation, for example:
advertisement  ad automobile  auto
bicycle  bike coca cola  coke
demonstration  demo doctor  doc
dormitory  dorm examination  exam
gasoline  gas gentleman gent
hippopotamus  hippo kilogram  kilo
laboratory  lab mathematics  math
memorandum  memo microphone  mike
photograph  photo poliomyelitis  polio
rhinoceros  rhino stereophonic  stereo

To clip the first syllable(s) of a word is called aphoeresis; for example:

omnibus  bus parachute  chute

telephone  phone airplane  plane
earthquake  quake telescope  scope

To clip the first and last syllables is called front-and-back clipping, for example:

influenza  flu refrigerator  fridge

Initialism
Initialism is the oldest form of shortening. It refers to using the initial letter of a series of
words together, but pronouncing them one by one, instead of being read as an entire
word, like ER for emergency room. Strictly speaking, it is not really a newly created
word, but has been widely used in most European languages. It can even be traced back
to Ancient Roman times, as the four letters SPQR standing for Senatus Populusque
Romanus (The Senate and the Roman People) can be seen on their flag. Initialisms
boomed in Modern English. Below are some of the common medical initialisms:

ACH = adrenal cortical hormone CCU= cardiac care unit

CT = computerized tomography DNA=deoxyribonucleic acid
ECG = electrocardiogram GI = gastrointestinal
ICU = intensive care unit JBE = Japanese B encephalitis
MRI= magnetic resonance imaging OD = overdose
CNS = central nervous system OR = operating room
UTI= urinary tract infection STD=sexually transmitted disease
UCG = ultrasonic cardiogram VD = venereal disease
WHO = World Health Organization DNR= do not resuscitate
In a strict sense, abbreviations refer only to the two kinds of shortening discussed above,
clipped words and initialisms. Most of them are used informally, but they may also be
encountered when interpreters are interpreting for providers or patients, or doing sight
translations. It will be very helpful to know the following abbreviations by heart:

ab = abortion acad = academy

aeq = aequales AID = acute infectious disease
alc = alcohol amt = amount
BBT = basic body temperature BP = blood pressure
BT = bleeding time BW = body weight
cal = calorie caps = capsule
CBC = complete blood count CBR = complete bed rest
CPC = clinic pathological conference CR = cardio-respiratory
DOA = dead on arrival diag = diagnosis
EEG = electroencephalogram ERPE = effective renal plasma flow
ESR = erythrocyte sedimentation rate FBS = fasting blood sugar
ft = fiat g = gram
Hb = hemoglobin HBAg = hepatitis B antigen
imp = impression inj = injection
IV = intravenously liq = liquid
LMP = last menstrual period MBD = minimal brain dysfunction
mg = milligram ml = milliliter
MRI = magnetic resonance imaging n = nerve
neg = negative OD = doctor of optometry
OPD = out-patient department pdr = powder
pos = positive PP = potassium permanganate
pt = patient PTA = prior to admission
PU = pregnancy urine qt = quart
RBC = red blood cell count sg = specific gravity
sig = signature supp = suppository
Syr = syrup T = temperature
tab = tablet TB = tuberculosis
U = unit VA = vitamin A
WBC = white blood cell count WNL = within normal limits

One difficulty that may be encountered with an abbreviation is that it sometimes stands
for different words, even within the medical field. For example, Af can stand for acid-
fast, atrial fibrillation, and audio frequency. BP can stand for bedpan, birthplace, blood
pressure, or British Pharmacopoeia. BS can stand for both blood sugar and breath
sounds. NS can stand for nervous system or normal saline. SD can stand for standard
deviation or systolic discharge. VC can stand for color vision as well as vital capacity.
Although the context may help to determine the word that an abbreviation represents, it
will be necessary to ask the provider to spell it out whenever there is any doubt. For that
same reason, it would be advisable to only memorize those abbreviations that have one
meaning, in order to avoid the risk of mistakenly interpreting the expansion of the
abbreviation.

Acronyms
The word "acronym" was coined in the United States in the 1940s and has two parts: acr
(meaning top or end in Greek) and onym (meaning word or name in Greek). NATO
(North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and MASH (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) are
among the earliest acronyms. So, an acronym is formed with the initial letter or letters of
a series of words, such as radar from radio detecting and ranging; NASA from National
Aeronautics and Space Administration; laser from light amplification by stimulated
emission of radiation; and AIDS from Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Notice
that each of these acronyms is pronounced as a word. This is the primary difference
between an acronym and an abbreviation, which, as stated before, is usually pronounced
letter by letter.

Since acronyms are words, they have the tendency to be spelled in lower case letters,
unless they are organizational names. In scuba diving, for example, scuba originally
stood for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus. Some publishers even spell
NATO as Nato, from which Natoish, Natoism, and Natoist are derived, whereas
abbreviations do not have derivations. If an acronym is spelled the same as an existing
word, it is always printed in upper case letters to avoid confusion, so that we know ZIP
(zone improvement plan) is not the sound going through the air (zip), and AIDS is not
something helpful (aids).

Below are some common acronyms that interpreters may come across while interpreting
in a medical setting:

CAT = computerized axial tomography

JAMA = Journal of the American Medical Association
BUN = blood urine nitrogen
MAC = maximum allowable concentration
MED = minimal erythema dose
NAD = nothing abnormal detected
NET = nerve excitability test
POV = packed cell volume

Blends
A blend is like a compound, except that one or both of the words involved may each lose
a letter or syllable in forming the new word. Take a look at the following words:

alphametric  alphabetic + numeric brunch  breakfast + lunch

breathalyze  breath + analyze guestimate  guess + estimate
Medicaid  medical + aid Medicare  medical + care
motel  motor + hotel paratroops  parachute + troops

There are not too many medical terms that are formed this way, but it is helpful to know
this interesting word formation method.

Common Roots

Root Meaning Examples

Aden/o Gland adenalgia
adenoma
Adren/o adrenal gland adrenaline
hyperadrenalism
Arthr/o Joint arthritis
arthrotomy
Audi/o Hearing Audiology
audiometer
Bacill/o Bacillus bacillosis
bacilloscopy
Bacteri/o Germ Bacteriology
bactericide
Bi/o Life Biology
biosynthesis
Bronch/o Bronchus bronchitis
bronchospasm
Carb/o Carbon carbohydrate
carbohemia
Carcin/o Cancer carcinogen
carcinoma
Cardi/o Heart cardialgia
cardiectasis
Cephal/o Head cephalopathy
cephalotomy
Cerebr/o Brain cerebrum
cerebrospinal
Chiro Hand Chiropractor
chirospasm
Chlor/o green, chloride chlorophyll
chloromycetin
Chrom/o Color chromosome
chromogenesis
Cyt/o Cell Cytobiology
cytotoxin
Dent/o Tooth dentalgia
dentoalveolitis
Derm/o Skin dermoplasty
Dermatology
Electr/o Electricity electrolysis
electrophoresis
Encephal/o Brain encephalitis
encephaloma
Enter/o Intestine enteritis
enterococci
Erythr/o Red erythrocyte
erythromycin
Fibr/o Fiber fibroma
fibroblast
Fibrin/o fiber protein fibrinogen
fibrinolysin
Gastr/o Stomach gastroptosis
gastralgia
Glyc/o Sugar glycolipid
glycosuria
Gynec/o Woman Gynecology
gynecopathy
Hem/o Blood hemoglobin
hemophilia
Hepat/o Liver hepatitis
hepatectomy
Hist/o Tissue histology
histotherapy
Hom/o Same homogeneous
homoplasty
Hydr/o water, hydrogen hydrolysis
hydroquinine
Immun/o free, or immune from Immunology
immunotherapy
Leuk/o White leukocyte
leukemia
Lingu/o Tongue lingula
linguogingival
My/o Muscle myocarditis
myofibroma
Nephr/o Kidney nephralgia
nephritis
Neur/o Nerve Neurology
neurosis
Onc/o Tumor Oncology
oncogenesis
Ophthalm/o Eye ophthalmocopia
ophthalmorrhea
Oste/o Bone osteoma
osteoporosis
Path/o Disease pathogen
pathology
Pharmac/o Medicine Pharmacology
pharmacy
Pneum/o Lung pneumonia
pneumothorax
Psych/o Mind Psychiatry
Psychology
Pyr/o Heat pyrogen
antipyretic
Radi/o rays, radium radioactivity
radiotherapy
ren/o Kidney renopathy
renography
Rhin/o Nose rhinitis
rhinorrhea
Scler/o Hard scleroderma
sclerosis
Spir/o Breath spirograph
spirometer
Thorac/o Chest thoracoscope
thoracoplasty
Thromb blood coagulation thrombocyte
thrombosis
Tox/o Poison toxemia
toxin
Trache/o Windpipe tracheorrhagia
tracheotomy
Ur/o Urine Urology
uroscopy

Common Prefixes

Prefix Meaning Examples

A- None asymptomatic
anemia
Ante- Before anteflexion
antenatal
Anti- Against antibiotics
anticoagulant
Auto- Self autoimmune
autoxidation
Bi- Two bilateral
bicarbonate
Contra- against, opposed to contraceptive
contraindication
Counter against, opposed to counteragent
counteraction
De- apart, away detoxification
decomposition
Di- Double dioxide
diplegia
Dis apart, away disinfect
discolor
Dys- Obstacle dysfunction
dyspepsia
Endo- inside, internal endocarditis
endocrine
Epi- upper, surface epigastrium
epidermis
Exo- outside, external exocrine
exotoxin
Hemi- Half hemicrania
hemiplegia
Hyper- over, above hypertension
hyperthyroidism
Hypo- under, lower hypotension
hypothyroidism
In- Into inhalation
injection
In- Not invalid
insane
Infra- Below inframammary
infrared
Intra- inside, through intracranial
intravenous
Macro- large macrocyte
macromolecule
Mal- Bad malformation
malnutrition
Mega- Huge megacardia
megacolon
Micro- minute, small Microbiology
microcyte
Mono- Single monocyte
mononucleosis
Multi- Many multicellular
multinuclear
Neo- New neomycin
neoplasm
Para- alongside, secondary paratyphoid
parathyroid
Peri- Around peritonsillitis
pericarditis
Poly- many, much polyplegia
polyuria
Semi- half, partial semicircular
semicoma
Sub- lower, under subabdominal
subcutaneous
Super- abundantly, over superficial
superlethal
Supra- above, over suprarenal
supramolecular
Tetra- Four Tetracycline
tetracain
Tri- Three triceps
trigeminus
Uni- One unicellular
uniovular

Common Suffixes

Suffix Meaning Examples

-algia Pain arthralgia
cephalgia
-blast to become a cell neuroblast
osteoblast
-cyte Cell erythrocyte
leucocyte
-ectasis Enlarge gastroectasis
bronchiectasis
-ectomy cut away appendectomy
duodenectomy
-emia blood disease bacteremia
leukemia
-gen Origin pathogen
glycogen
-gen Essence androgen
estrogen
-genic nature, gene pyrogenic
radiogenic
-gram picture, image hemogram
electrocardiogram
-graphy picture-taking, imaging bronchography
mammography
-iasis Disease ascariasis
cholelithiasis
-it is Inflammation bronchitis
encephalitis
-logy the study of Cytology
Pathology
-oid form, shape amoeboid
lymphoid
-oma Tumor adenoma
osteoma
-osis Illness cirrhosis
mycosis
-penia lack, decrease leucopenia
thrombopenia
-plasm Form protoplasm
neoplasm
-plasy way to form gastroplasty
dermatoplasty
-plegia Paralysis paraplegia
diplegia
-ptosis Fall nephroptosis
hysteroptosis
-rrhage flow, discharge hemorrhage
lymphorrhage
-rrhagia burst, flow gastrorrhagia
pneumorrhagia
-rrhaphy Sowing cardiorrhaphy
celiorrhaphy
-scope Mirror bronchoscope
otoscope
-scopy Examination bioscopy
gastroscopy
-tomy removal by excision ovariotomy
tracheotomy
 Chapter 5
A Test of Medical Terms

This is a self-examination to see how well you have learned the ways in which English
words are formed and how large your English vocabulary is. It is suggested that 70% be
passing, 80% be considered good, and 90% excellent. If your score is below 70, needless
to say, you need to study more. There are two parts to this test. Below are the rules by
which you may test yourself.

1. Do not use any dictionary or reference book while taking the test, including the
previous sections of this manual.

2. Complete the test within 1.5 hours.

3. To rate the test, use a dictionary and the key provided. Each part has 100 points. The
final score will be the total number divided by 2. For example, with 186 points, the final
score would be 186  2 = 93.

Part One
Give the equivalent of the following English words in your other working language
(100 points):

1 ulcer 2 vein 3 vomit 4 urine

5 virus 6 toxic 7 acute 8 protein

9 symptom 10 infection 11 intake 12 therapy

13 incidence 14 secretion 15 radiation 16 chronic

17 diagnosis 18 metabolism 19 gastric 20 hepatic

21 rickets 22 spleen 23 lesion 24 uremia

25 carditis 26 recurrence 27 etiology 28 pregnancy

29 serum 30 swelling 31 sarcoma 32 contraction

33 malignant 34 virulent 35 hemodialysis 36 cholesterol

37 hospitalize 38 susceptibility 39 hypertension 40 streptomycin

41 antigen 42 psychology 43 susceptible 44 rheumatism

45 digitalis 46 analgesic 47 survive 48 molecule
49 constituent 50 hemorrhage 51 crisis 52 implantation

53 viscera 54 atrioventricular 55 diarrhea 56 diaphragm

57 glycogen 58 anesthetic 59 bronchospasm 60 ambulance

61 dermatitis 62 meningitis 63 mitral 64 tonsil

65 anticoagulant 66 gallbladder 67 prognosis 68 umbilicus

69 thrombosis 70 leukocytosis 71 emphysema 72 diastole

73 albumin 74 abortion 75 syndrome 76 asthma

77 emesis 78 dislocation 79 scanning 80 electrocardiogram

81 globulin 82 duodenum 83 cirrhosis 84 inoculation

85 allergy 86 hereditary 87 jaundice 88 hypothermia

89 isotope 90 puncture 91 stenosis 92 shrinkage

93 radium 94 vasoconstriction 95 fungus 96 splenomegaly

97 ultrasonography 98 premature 99 auscultation 100 myocardium

Part Two

I. Choose the correct root for each word provided (20 points):

1 Brain
a cerebro- b entero- c cardio- d cephalo-

2 Nerve
a nephro- b neuro- c uro- d nuero-

3 Eye
a ortho- b bio- c ophthalmo- d audio-

4 Intestinal
a gastro- b gyneco- c entero- d carcino-

5 Blood
a hepato- b hemo- c cardio- d. gyneco-
6 Kidney
a gastro- b neuro- c patho- d nephro-

7 Life
a rhino- b adeno- c bio- d lifo-

8 Head
a cephalo- b cyto- c cerebro- d gnoso-

9 Stomach
a entero- b geno- c gastro- d stomato-

10 Gland
a arthro- b entero- c adeno- d geno-

11 Nose
a radio- b uro- c sectio- d rhino-

12 Neck
a cervico- b thoraco- c thyro- d circo-

13 Skull
a cerebro- b osteo- c myelo- d cranio-

14 Female
a gyneco- b hystero- c leuko- d hemato-

15 Ear
a audio- b sono- c oto- d oro-

16 Rib
a costo- b chondro- c thoraco- d vertebro-

17 Liver
a hemato- b lacto- c hepato- d patho-

18 Tissue
a geno- b hemato- c glyco- d histo-

19 Tumor
a scopo- b onco- c glyco- d histo-

20 Cancer
a cardio- b costo- c carcino- d adeno-
II. Match the prefixes, suffixes and roots in column 1 with the meanings
in column 2 (40 points).

Column 1 Column 2

1 neo- interior

2 hyper- against

3 anti- new

4 endo- above

5 multi- single

6 semi- beneath

7 mono- large

8 mal- one half

9 hypo- many

10 macro- ill, bad

11 -oma pain

12 -gram blood condition

13 -itis disease, conditions

14 -algia paralysis

15 -osis tumor

16 -ectomy removal of

17 -penia inflammation of

18 -emia picture, mark

19 -plegia science of

20 -logy lack, decreased

21 arthro- cell
 22 cardio- color

23 hemo- blood

24 osteo- tissue

25 dermo- joint

26 patho- skin

27 chromo- heart

28 histo- hard

29 sclero- disease

30 cyto- bone

31 dento- red

32 pharmaco- mouth

33 linguo- urine

34 erythro- drug

35 pneumo- lung, breath

36 stomato- tongue

37 pyro- tooth

38 uro- white

39 leuko- poison

40 toxico- fire, heat

III. Select from the lettered words or phrases the one nearest in meaning to the
word given (20 points).

1 metastasize
a shrink b spread c swell up d enlarge
2 exacerbate
a improve b worsen c accelerate d intubate

3 malignant
a contagious b fatal c ignorant d kindly

4 renal calculi
a gallstones b calcium deposits c kidney stones d hardening of the arteries

5 to excise
a to repair b to transplant c to remove d to replace

6 laparoscopy
a an appendix removal b a feeding tube
c an abdominal scope d a colostomy bag

7 DNR
a diastolic numerical rate b dual nerve reflex
c do not resuscitate d dystrophic neoplasm remission

8 fissure
a gesture b rupture c mission d project

9 drowsy
a hungry b friendly c ugly d sleepy

10 D & C
a doctor & clinic b diabetic & carcinogenic
c dilation & curettage d discharge & coagulation

11 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

a emphysema b pericarditis c croup d tuberculosis

12 void
a empty b sound c different d week

13 laceration
a incision b rupture c cut d inflammation

14 ailment
a assistance b appearance c illness d ointment

15 obese
a free b foreign c fatal d fat

16 copious
 a fortunate b abundant c desirable d proper

17 intrafamilial
a familiar b between families c related by marriage d within a family

18 transient
a transparent b transitional c temperate d temporary

19 confirmation
a trust b suspense c proof d encounter

20 hemodialysis
a blood transfusion b blood disorder
c blood cleansing d blood typing

IV Circle ONE word that best completes each of the following sentences (20 points).

1 If you suffer from , your doctor may recommend that you take
sleeping pills.

a anorexia b insomnia c dizziness d epilepsy

2 When she broke her leg, she had to walk around with for several
weeks afterwards.

a crutches b braces c stretchers d stilts

3 She was in such a state when her son died that the doctor gave her a(n)
to help her calm down.

a depressant b stimulant c additive d sedative

4 Although my father has hearing, he still refuses to wear a

hearing aid.

a reflexive b infectious c defective d affective

5 In the word hemoglobin, the component globin means .

a blood b oxygen c carbon dioxide d protein

6 When tissue loses its normal flow of blood and thus becomes deficient of oxygen, it is
said to be .

a anemic b ischemic c aplastic d hemolytic

7 The mediastinum is found within the cavity.

a cranial b pelvic c spinal d thoracic

8 The cells necessary for blood clotting are .

a thrombocytes b monocytes c erythrocytes d eosinophils

9 The medical term that means “surrounding the heart” is .

a pencardium b precardium c paracardium d pericardium

10 is a condition in which there is a reduction in the number of

erythrocytes or the amount of hemoglobin.

a anemia b ischemia c leukemia d erythremia

11 The is the basic unit of heredity.

a autosome b gene c DNA d gamete

12 The birth of the fetus through an incision into the uterus is called a/an .

a episiotomy b cesarean section c laparotomy d salpingectomy

13 Paralysis of one side of the body is called .

a paresthesia b paraplegia c hemiplegia d quadriplegia

14 The main artery of the trunk is the .

a coronary artery b pulmonary artery c vena cava d aorta

15 The interior lining of the heart wall is the .

a myocardium b endocardium c pericardium d endosteum

16 A is an abnormal sound in the heartbeat.

a diastole b flutter c systole d murmur

17 indicates an abnormally low white blood count.

a Leukemia b Leukopenia c Leukopoiesis d Leukicytosis

18 The air sacs of the lungs are known as .

a bronchioles b glomeruli c pneumococci d alveoli

19 A slight or transient increase in the number of white blood cells is termed

.

a leukicytopathy b leukopenia c leukocytosis d leukemia

20 White cells that absorb dead cells and tissues, and ingest bacteria are called .

a phagocytes b monocytes c reticulocytes d lymphocytes

 Bibliography

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www.amherst.edu/~jaloduca/cprinfant.html

www.amherst.edu/~jaloduca/cprchild.html

www.amherst.edu/~jaloduca/cpradult.html

www.multilingual-health-education.net/faq.asp

www.umm.edu/cardiac/glossary.html

Anderson, Kenneth N., Editor, Mosby’s Medical Dictionary, 5th Edition

(Mosby, 1997).

Bassnett-McGuire, Susan. Translation Studies (London and New York:

Routledge, Chapman and Hall, Inc., 1988).

Berkow, Robert, M.D., Editor-in-chief, The Merck Manual of Medical

Information—Home Edition (Whitehouse Station, N.J.: Merck & Co., Inc.,
1997)

Clinically Oriented Anatomy, Fourth Edition (Baltimore, MD: Lippincott,

Williams & Wilkins Publishers, 1999).

Cokely, Dennis, Interpretation: A Sociolinguistic Model (Silver Spring, MD:

Linstock Press, 1992).

Comprehensive Review for NCLEX-RN (Philadelphia, PA: Saunder Company,

1999).

A Concise Medical Dictionary (Oxford: Oxford University press, 1994).

A Dictionary of Common Medical Terms (Beijing: People's Health Press,

1999).

An English Handbook on Chinese Idioms (Zhenjing, China: Jiangsu People's

Press, 1979).

First Aid For The USMLE, Step 1 (Stamford, CT: Appleton & Lange, 1999).
Keeffe, Emmett B., M.D., Know Your Body (Berkeley, CA: Ulysses Press
Publishers, 2002)

Mayo Internal Medicine Board Review, 9th Edition (Rochester, MN:

Lippincott-Raver Publishers, 1998-1999).

Medical-Surgical Nursing, A Nursing Process Approach, 1991. (Philadelphia,

PA: W. B. Saunders Company, 1991)

The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 17th Edition (Whitehouse

Station, N.J.: Merck & co., Inc., 1999).

Miller, Benjamin F., M.D. and Keane, Claire Brackman, R.N., B.S., M.Ed.,
Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Third
Edition (Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company, 1983).

Nurse's Reference Library, Diseases (Springhouse, PA: Springhouse

Corporation, 1985).

Pagana, Kathleen, PhD., R.N. and Pagana, Timothy,( M.D., Mosby's

Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference, 5th Edition (Williamsport, PA:
Elsevier Science, 2001).

The Penguin Dictionary of Proverbs (New York: Penguin Books, 1985).

Van de Graaff, Kent M. and Rhees, R. Ward, Human Anatomy and

Physiology (New York: McGraw-Hill Publishers, 2001)

Venes, Donald, M.D., M.S.J., Editor, Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary,

19th edition (Philadelphia, PA: F. A. Davis Company)

Wagman, Richard J., M.D., F.A.C.P., Editor, The Medical and Health
Encyclopedia (Chicago: J.G. Ferguson

Appendices
 Medical Acronyms

A
A-band anisotropic band
AA aggregated albumin
AAE active assistive exercise
AAL anterior axillary line
AAR accelerated acute rejection
ABG arterial blood gasses
AB gap airbone gap
ABC antigen-binding capacity
ABE acute bacterial endocarditis
ABLB alternate binaural loudness balance test
ABO A B O blood typing system
ABR auditory brain stem response (cf. BEAR)
ABW anterior bite wing
AC alternating current
AC air conduction, aerotympanic conduction
AC anodal closure
AC block alveolar-capillary block
ACC anodal closing contraction
ACCl anodal closure clonus
ACD anterior chest diameter
ACD absolute cardiac dullness
ACE adrenal cortical extract
ACG apex cardiography, apex cardiogram
ACO anodal closing odor
ACP anodal closing picture
ACP acyl carrier protein
ACP acid phosphatase (also AP)
ACS anodal closing sound
ACTe anodal closing tetanus
ACTH adrenocorticotropic hormone (test) = Thorn¹s test
AD average derivation
AD anodal duration
AD virus adenovirus
ADA adenosine deaminase
ADC anodal duration contraction
ADCC antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity
ADEM acute disseminated encephalomyelitis
ADH antidiuretic hormone
ADI adequate dose of intake
ADI acceptable daily intake (cf. MADI)
ADL activity of daily living
ADML acute duodenal mucosal lesion
ADLT activities of daily living test
ADS antidiuretic substance
ADTe anodal duration tetanus
AE active exercise
AE above-elbow (as in amputation or prosthesis)
AEC Atomic Energy Commission
AEF allogenic effect factor
AFB acid-fast bacteria
AFP alpha (Éø) fetoprotein
AG atrial gallop
AG ratio albumin-globulin ratio
AGA accelerated growth area
AGC automatic gain control
AGD anogenital distance
AGL acute granulocytic leukemia
AGML acute gastric mucosal lesion
AGN acute glomerulonephritis
AGS adrenogenital syndrome
AHA antihemophilic A factor
AHD acquired heart disease
AHD autoimmune hemolytic disease
AHF antihemophilic factor
AHG antihuman globulin
AHH aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase
AI aortic insufficiency
AICF autoimmune complement fixation (reaction)
AID artificial insemination with donor = anonymous insemination
AIN acute interstitial nephritis
AlP alkaline phosphatase (also ALP)
AIP acute intermittent porphyria
AIPS AIDS panic syndrome
AJ ankle jerk = Achilles tendon reflex
AK above-knee (as in amputation or prosthesis)
AK aortic knob
AL adaptation level
AL protein amyloid L protein
Alb albumin
ALD aldolase
ALD alcohol-induced liver disease
ALD adrenoleukodystrophy
ALG antilymphocyte globulin
ALGOL algorithmic language (for computer)
ALP alkaline phosphatase (also AlP)
ALR arteriolipidosis-prone rat
ALS antilymphocyte serum
Am amenorrhea
AM antimetabolite
AM amylase
AMA against medical advice
AMA antimitochrondial antibody
AMEDAS automated meteorological data acquisition system
AMP adenosine monophosphate
AMS auditory memory span
An ex anode excitation
AnOC anodal opening contraction (also AOC)
ANP atrial natriuretic (poly)peptide
ANUG acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis
AO absorption ointment
AO anodal opening
AO anode
AOC anodal opening contraction (also AnOC)
AOCl anodal opening clonus
AOI area of interest
AOO anodal opening odor
AOP anodal opening picture
AOS anodal opening sound
AOTe anodal opening tetanus
A & P auscultation and percussion
AP acid protein
AP acid phosphatase (also ACP)
AP accelerated phase
APC antigen presenting cell
APC atrial premature contraction (also PAC)
APC antiphlogistic corticoid
APCP antibody-producing cell precursor
APF animal protein factor
APG auricular plethysmograph
APG animal pituitary gonadotropin
APLH anterior pituitary-like hormone
APR anterior pituitary reaction
APSGN acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis
APUD(oma) amine and precursor uptake and decarboxylationoma
AQ accomplishment quotient
AR analytical reagent
AR active resistance
AR alarm reaction
ARC anomalous retinal correspondence
ARDS acute respiratory distress syndrome
ARDS adult respiratory distress syndrome
ARE active resistive exercise
ARF acute renal failure
ARF acute rheumatic fever
ARG autoradiogram
ARIS apoenzyme reactivation immunoassay system
ARPD anorectal pressure difference
ART algebraic reconstruction technique
AS aqueous solution, aqueous suspension
AS titer antistreptolysin titer
ASC anterior subcapsular cataract
ASC ambulatory surgery center
ASCA advisory specialists for consumer affairs
ASCII American Standard Code for Information Exchange (for computers)
ASCVD arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease
ASD atrial septal defect
ASH hyperopic astigmatism = hypermetropic astigmatism
ASH asymmetric septal hypertrophy
ASHD arteriosclerotic heart disease
ASK antistreptokinase
ASLE acute systemic lupus erythematosis
ASLO antistreptolysin-O
ASVR anomaly of systemic venous return
AT aortic triangle
AT anerobic threshold
AT applanation tonometry (for eyes)
ATE atypical epithelium
ATLV adult T-cell leukemia virus
ATP adenosine triphosphate
ATPS ambient temperature, pressure, saturated with water vapor = standard ondition(s)
ATR Achilles tendon reflex
ATR arm tonus reaction
ATS antitetanic serum
ATS antithymocyte serum
ATS anxiety tension state
AUC area under curve
AV arteriovenous
AV agranular vesicle
A-V block atrioventricular block
A-V shunt arteriovenous shunt
AVA arteriovenous anastomosis
AVC automatic volume control
AVM arteriovenous malformation
AVN agranular vesicle-containing nerve
AVR automatic voltage regulator
AVR average voiding rate
AW aortic window
AW atomic warfare
AWA anterior wall of aorta
AZT azidothimidine, azidotimidina

B
BA balneum arenae = sand bath
BAL bronchoalveolar lavage
BAL British anti-Lewisite = dimercaprol (mercury, etc., detoxicant)
BB buffer base
BBB bundle branch block
BC bone conduction
BC breathing capacity
BC blastic crisis
BCAA branched-chain amino acid
BCD binary coded decimal
BCG ballistocardiogram
BCGF B cell growth factor
BCH basal cell hyperplasia
BCP birth control pill
BCR bulbocavernous reflex
BDV blood dilution value
BE barium enema
BEAR brain stem evoked auditory response (cf. ABR)
BEI butanol-extractable iodine
BF biofeedback
BF blastogenic factor
BF ratio bound/free ratio
BFO balanced forearm orthosis
BGG bovine gammaglobulin
BHI brain-heart infusion (of calf)
BHI biosynthetic human insulin
BHL bilateral hilar lymphadenitis
BIG barium intestinograph
BIP biological index of pollution
BKV BK virus
BLUE best linear unbiased estimator
BM barium meal = contrast meal
BM bowel movement
BME biomedical engineering
BMG benign monoclonal gammopathy
BMG beta 2 microglobin
BMR basal metabolic rate
BO body odor
BOA behavioral observation audiometry
BOD biochemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand
BOR bowel open regular
BP blood pressure
BPV bovine papilloma virus
BPG big plasma globulin
BRBC burro red blood cell
BRM biological response modifier
BS blood sugar = blood glucose
BS bovine fecal matter
BSA body surface area
BSA bovine serum albumin
BSS balance salt solution
BST bedside teaching
BT balance test
BT behavior therapist
BTPS body temperature/ambient pressure/saturated with water vapor
BV blood volume
BW birth weight
BW body weight
BW biological warfare

C
C1 INA C1 inactivator
C1 INH C1 inhibitor
C3 INA C3 inactivator
C3 NeF C3 nephritic factor
C3 Pase C3 proactivator convertase
C4D guinea-pig C4 deficient
CaCC cathodal closure contraction (also CCC)
CAD cold agglutinin disease
CAD computer-assisted design
CAF conglutinogen activating factor
CAG carotid angiography, carotid arteriography
CAH congenital adrenal hyperplasia
CAI computer-assisted instruction
CAM computer-aided manufacturing
CAM chorioallantoic membrane
cAMP cyclic adenosine monophosphate
CaOC cathodal opening contraction
CAT computerized axail tomography
CAVH continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration
CB critical band (area)
CBC complete blood count
CBD common bile duct = choledocus
CBF cerebral blood flow
CBF coronary blood flow
CBG corticoid-bound globulin
CBG corticosteroid-binding globulin
CBH cutaneous basophil(e) hypersensitivity
CBR complete bed rest
CC clinical conference
CC contractile component = contractile element
CCC cathodal closure contraction
CCCI cathodal closure clonus
CCI cancerous cachexia index
CCM closed chest cardiac massage (cf. ECM)
CCM congestive cardiomyopathy
CCP critical closing pressure
Ccr creatine clearance
CCS casualty clearing station
CCU coronary care unit
CD curative dose, compact disc, certificate of deposit
CDC Centers for Disease Control
CDF cumulative distribution function
CDS cervical dry smear
CEA carcinoembryonic antigen
CER conditioned emotional response
CFA complete Freund¹s adjuvant
CFF critical fusion frequency
CFM cerebral function monitor
CFU colony forming unit
CGD chronic granulomatous disease
CGL chronic granulocytic leukemia
cGMP cyclic guanosine monophophate
CGN chronic glomerulonephritis
CGRP calcitone gene-related peptide
CGTT cortisone glucose tolerance test
Ch-A cholinacetylase
ChE cholinesterase
CHF congestive heart failure

CHS Chediak-Higashi syndrome

CI cardiac index
CI color index
CI corrected index
CI cytotoxic index
CI chemotherapeutic index (coefficient)
CIC circulating immune complex
CIDS congenital immuological deficiency syndrome
CIEP countertransport immuno-electrophoresis
CIS carcinoma in situ
CLC Charcot-Leyden crystal
CLIF cloning inhibition factor
CMC chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis
CMC critical micelle concentration
CMF comparative mortality figure
CMI cell-mediated immunity
CMJ craniomadibular joint (disorder)
CMO cardiac minute output = cardiac output per minute
CMPGN chronic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis
CMR O2 cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen
CNS central nervous system
CO carbon monoxide
CO cardiac output
CO critical organ
CoA coenzyme A
COC cathodal opening contraction
COCI cathodal opening clonus
COFAL test complement fixation avian leukosis test
COP capillary osmotic pressure
COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CORA conditioned-orientation reflex audiometry
CP canal paresis
CPBA competitive protein binding analysis (or assay)
CPC clinical-pathological conference
CPCR cardiopulmonary-cerebral resuscitation
CPD continuous peritoneal dialysis
CPD cephalopelvic disproportion
CPGN chronic proliferative glomerulonephritis
cph count per hour
CPK creatine phosphokinase
cpm count per minute
CPPB continuous positive pressure breathing
CPPV continuous positive pressure ventilation
CPR cardio pulmonary resuscitation
cps count per second
CPS cutaneous photosensitization
CPS C-polysaccharide
CPU central processing unit (of computer)
CR computerized radiology
CR complement receptor
CRA central retinal artery
CREST syndrome calcinosis, Raynaud¹s phenomenon, esophagus dismobility,
sclerodactilia and telangioectasia syndrome
CRF chronic renal failure
CRH critical relative humidity
CRL complement receptor lymphocyte
CRM cross-reacting material
CROS contralateral routing of signal (for hearing aid)
CRF chronic renal failure
CRP C-reactive protein
CRQ cerebral respiratory quotient
CRT cathode ray tube
CS conditioned stimulus
CS cervical spondylosis
CS cesarean section
CSA colony stimulating activity
CSII continuous subcutaneous insulin injection
CSO cardiac second output = cardiac output per second
CST Compton scatter tomography
CT clinical technologist (or technician)
CT computerized tomography
CT cross thermocouple method
CTA computerized tomographic angiography
CTC clinical therapeutic conference
CTE cytotoxic effect
CTR cardiothoracic ratio (also C/T, C/R)
CTT computerized transaxial tomography
CTZ chemoreceptive (emetic) trigger zone
CUSA cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator
CVA costovertebral angle = rib/backbone angle
CVD cardiovascular disease
CVD combined valvular disease
CVF cobra venom factor
CVH combined ventricular hypertrophy
CVID* common variable immunodeficiency
CVM cardiovascular monitor
CVO conjugata vera obstetrica = obstetric conjugate
CVR cerebrovascular resistance
CVR coronary vascular resistance
CVS cervical villus sampling
CVS test chorionic villus sampling test
CYNAP cytotoxicity negative--absorption positive
CYS cystoscopy

D
D37 inactivation dose
D50 infective dose = median tissue culture (TICD50)
DAC digital (to) analog converter
D & C dilation and curettage
DAR differential absorption rate
dB decibel
DBS deep brain stimulation
DC direct current
DCS dorsal column stimulation
DDR diastolic descent rate
DDS drug delivery system
DEAE diethylaminoethyl-cellulose (chromatography)
DF distribution factor
DFPP double filter plasmapheresis
DFT discrete Fourier transform
DHMD diffuse hyaline membrane deposition
DI discomfort index
DI drug information
DIC disseminated intravascular coagulation
DIC drip infusion cholangiography
DIHN drug-induced hypersenstivity nephritis
DIP drip infusion pyelography
DIP desquamative interstitial pneumonia
DIP distal interphalangeal
DIPJ distal interphalangeal joint
DIT diet-induced thermogenesis
DIU drip infusion urography
DKA diabetic ketoacidosis
DL difference (differential) limen = discrimination threshhold (JND)
D-L Donath-Landsteiner antibody
DLE disseminated lupus erythematosus
DLM dosis letalis minima = minimum lethal dose (MLD, LFD)
DM diastolic murmur
DM dermatomyositis
DMP dystrophia musculorum progressiva (also PMD)
DN dicrotic notch
DNA deoxyribonucleic acid
DNase deoxyribonuclease
DNCB test dinitro-chlorobenzene test
DNR do not resuscitate
DO dissolved oxygen
DOA dead (or death) on arrival
D-P flap deltopectoral flap
DP vaccine diphtheria pertussis vaccine
DPD diffuse panbronchiolitis
DPT diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus
DRG diagnosis related group
DSA digital subtraction angiography
DSR dynamic spatial reconstructor
DT toxoid diphteria and tetanus toxoid
DTN diphteria toxin normal
DTR deep tendon reflex
DWL derived working limit

E
EA educational age
EA erythrocyte (= red blood cell) amboceptor
EAC erythrocyte amboceptor and complement (or complex)
EB elemental body
Ebl erythroblast
EBO extent of bioavailability
EBV Epstein-Barr virus = EB virus
EC expiratory center
E-C coupling excitation-contraction coupling (cf. ECC)
ECC excitation-contraction coupling
ECD endocardial cushion defect
ECEO virus enteric cytopathogenic equinoorphan virus
ECF extracellular fluid
ECF-A eosinophile(-ic) chemotactic factor of anaphylaxis
ECFE endocardial fibroelastosis
ECG or EKG electrocardiogram
ECHO virus enteric cytopathogenic human orphan virus
EC-IC external-carotis internal-carotis (bypass)
EC-IC extracranial-intracranial bypass
ECM external cardiac massage (cf. CCM)
ECSO virus enteric cytopathogenic suis orphan virus
ECT emission computed tomography
ECUM extracorporeal ultrafiltration method
ED elemental diet
ED erythema dose
ED50 effective dose 50% = median effective dose
EDC expected date of confinement
EDIM epidemic diarrhea of infant mice
EDN eosinophil-derived neurotoxin
EDP end-diastolic pressure
EDP electronic data processing
EDPS lectronic data processing system
EDRF endothel-derived releasing factor
EDRF endothelium-derived relaxing factor
EDTA ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid
EDV end dilution value
EE embryo extract
EEE eastern equine encephalitis
EEG electroencephalogram
EEM erythema (exsudativum) multiforme
EF elongation factor
EFA essential fatty acid
EGF epidermal growth factor
EGHC electrolytically generated hydrogen clearance method
eGMP cyclic guanosine monophophate
EHBF estimated hepatic blood flow
EHBF extrahepatic blood flow
EHD epizootic hemorrhagic disease
EHG electrohysterography
EHL effective half-life
EI emesis index
EIA enzyme immunoassay
EIA environment impact assessment
EIA exercised-induced asthma
EIB exercised-induced bronchospasmus
EIRG electrointraretinogram
EJP excitatory junctional potential
EKC epidemic keratoconjunctivitis
EKY electrokymography
Em emmetropia = normal vision
EM electron microscope
EM ejection murmur
EMC encephalomyocarditis
EMC embryosac mother cell
EMF electromotive force
EMF endomyocardial fibrosis
EMF erythrocyte maturation factor
EMG electromyogram
EMIT enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique
ENA extractable nuclear antigen
ENG electronystagmogram
ENT ear, nose, and throat
EOG electrooculography
EOG electroolfactogram
EOG ethylene oxide gas
EOM extraocular movement
EOP efficiency of plating = plating efficiency
EP erythropoietin
EPCG endoscopic pancreatico-cholangiography
EPEC enteropathic Escherichia coli
EPP end-plate potential
EP-rat epilepsy-prone rat
EPR exothalmos producing reaction [can be spelled exothalmous]
EPS exothalmos producing substance
EPS expressed prostatic secretion
EPSP excitatory postsynaptic potential
EQ educational quotient
ER emergency room
ERA electric response audiometry, evoked response audiometry
ERA earned run average
ERB essential renal bleeding = idiopathic renal bleeding
ERBF effective renal blood flow
ERC endoscopic retrograde cholangiography
ERCP endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
ERG electroretinogram
ERPF effective renal plasma flow
ES antigen excretory-secretory antigen
ESC excitation secretion coupling
ESF erythropoietic stimulating factor
ESP endoscopic snare polypectomy
ESP extra-sensory perception
ESR electron spin resonance
ESR electric skin resistance
ESR erythrocyte sedimentation rate
ESRD end stage renal disease
EST electric shock therapy
EST endoscopic sphincterotomy
ESWL extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy
ET educational therapy = therapeutic exercise
ET effective temperature
ET ejection time
ET esotropia, esophoria
ET extra-terrestrial
ETT eye tracking test
EUA examination under anesthetic
EVC expiratory vital capacity
EVLW extravascular lung water

F
Fab antigen-binding fragment
FAE figural aftereffect
FAS fetal alchoholism
F/B ratio free/bound ratio
FBS fasting blood sugar or glucose
Fc crystallizable fragment (of antibody)
FCA Freund¹s complete adjuvant
FCR fractional catabolite rate
FCRS factor construct rating scale
FCS fetal calf serum
FDP fibrin degradation product
FDR franklindelanoroosevelt
FDR fluorogenic drug reagent
FDV first desire to void
Fe iron = ferrum
FF filtration fraction
FFD focus-film distance
FFP fresh frozen plasma
FFT fast fourier transform
FFU focus forming unit
FgDP fibrinogen degradation product
FGS fiber gastroscope (cf. GFO)
FH family history
FH familial hyperlipdemia
FHR fetal heart rate
FHT fetal heart tone = fetal heart sound
FI fluoresence index
FIA Freund¹s incomplete adjuvant
FIA fluorescent immunoassay
FID flame ionization detector
FIGLU test forminoglutaminic acid test
FLP fern-leaf pattern
FORTRAN formula translator (computer language)
FOSDIC file optical sensing device for input to computer
FPD fetoplacental disproportion
FPE first pass effect
FPR foot-pad reaction
FR filtration rate
FRA functional residual air
FRC functional residual capacity
FROS front routing of signal (for hearing aid)
FRP functional refractory period
FSF fibrin stablizing factor
FSH follicle stimulating hormone
FTA-ABS fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test
FUCG fetal ultrasonic cardiography
FUO fever of unknown origin (cf. PUO)
FVC flow volume curve
FVC forced vital capacity (of lung)
FWHM full width at half maximum
FWTH full width at 1/10th maximum

G
G0 gap intervallum ambiguum
G1 gap postmitotic interval gap
G2 gap premitotic interval gap
G 6 PD glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
GA gastric analysis
GABS group A streptococcus beta hemolyticus [GABS-B should be a beta]
GALT gut-associated lymphatic (or lymphoid) tissue
GAS general adaptation syndrome
GB gallbladder
GBG glycine-rich-beta-glycoprotein
GBM glomerular basement membrane
GBS group B streptococcus
GCP good clinical practice
G-CSF granulocyte-colony stimulating factor
GCU growing care unit
GEO general educational objective
GFA glial fibrillary acidic protein
GFB gastrofiberscope (cf. FGS)
GGE gradient gel electrophoresis
GGG glycine-rich-gamma-glycoprotein
GGVB glucose gelatin Veronal buffer
GH growth hormone = somatropic hormone
GIF gastrointestinal fiberscope
GIFT gamete intrafallopian transplantation
GIR global improvement rating
GITT glucose insulin tolerance test
GLI glucagon-like immunoactivity
GLP good laboratory practice
GM Geiger-Mueller (counter, survey meter)
GMP (cyclic) guanosine monophophate
GMP good manufacturing practice
GMT Greenwich mean time
GN glomerulonephritis
GNP gross national product
GOD glucose oxydase
GOE gas-oxygen-ether anesthesia
GOK God only knows
GOT glutamic oxaloacetic transanimase
GP general paresis
GP glycoprotein
GPA guinea pig albumin
GPA grade point average
GPC gastric parietal cell
GPS guinea-pig serum
GPSA guinea-pig serum albumin
GPT glutamic pyruvic transanimase
GRF growth hormone releasing factor
GSD genetically significant dose
GSR global severity rating
GSR galvanic skin reflex, galvanic skin response
GTF gastrocamera with fiberscope
GTH gonadotropic hormone = gonadotropin
GTP guanosine-triphosphate
GTT glucose tolerance test
GUR global utility rating
GVB gelatin Veronal buffer
GVH graft-versus-host
GVHD graft-versus-host disease
GVHR graft-versus-host reaction
GVL graft versa leukemia
GVN granular vesicle-containing nerve
GYN gynecology

H
H-2 antigen mouse major histocompatibility antigen
HA hemagglutin
HAA hepatitis-associated antigen
HAAg hepatitis A antigen
HAI heterologous artificial insemination
HAI homologous artificial insemination
HAI test hemagglutination inhibition test
HAM HTLV-I associated myeolpathy
HANE hereditary angioneurotic edema
HAPA high-altitude pulmonary edema
H band Hensen¹s disk = zona lucida = stria H
Hb hemoglobin (also Hbg)
HBAg hepatitis B antigen
HbC hemoglobin C disease
HbCO carbonylhemoglobin
HbF fetal hemoglobin
HBF hepatic blood flow
HBsAg hepatitus B surface antigen
HB hepatitis B
Hgb hemoglobin (also Hb)
H chain heavy chain (of immunoglobin = Ig)
HCG human chorionic gonadotropin
HCT hematocrit
HD hemodialysis
HDL high density lipoprotein
H & E hematoxylin and eosin
HEIA homogeneous enzyme diffusion immunoassay
HF Hageman¹s factor
HFC diet high fat cholesterol diet
Hfr high-frequency recombination
HFT high-frequency transduction
HGF hyperglycemic glycogenolytic factor = glucagon
HGG human gammglobulin
HGH human growth hormone
HGPRT hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl-transferase (deficiency)
hHGF human hepatocyte growth factor
HI hemagglutination inhibition (antigen)
HIB haemophilus influenzae vaccine
HIVS human immunodeficiency virus-induced syndrome
HLA human leukocyte antigen
HLA human lymphocyte antigen
HLA histocompatibility antigen
HLB value hydrophile-lipophile balance value
HLH human luteinizing hormone
HMG human menopausal gonadotropin
HMO health maintenance organization
HMP shunt hexose monophosphate (pathway) shunt
HO hydrophilic ointment
HOCM hypertrophic obstructive cardiac myopathy
HPG human pituitary gonadotropin
HPI history of present illness
HPL human placental lactogen
HPS hypertrophic pyloric stenosis
HR hyperacute reaction
HRT* hormone replacement therapy
HSA human serum albumin
HSG hysterosalpingography = uterosalpingography
HSR homogeneously staining region
HTL human T-cell leukemia
HTLV human T-cell leukemia virus
HtPA human tissue plasminogen activator
HTSH human thyroid stimulating hormone
HTST high temperature short time (pasteurization)
HuE human erythrocyte
HV hyperventilation
HVS hyperviscosity syndrome
HVD hypertensive vascular disease
HVJ hemagglutin(-ating) virus of Japan = Sendai virus
HVL half-value layer
Hx hemopexin
Hz hertz (not rentacar)

I
IABC intraaortic balloon counterpulsion
IADSA intraarterial digital subtraction angiography
IAFI infantile amaurotic familial idiocy
IAH immune adherence hemagglutination
IAO intermittent aortic occlusion
IAP immunosuppressive acidic protein
I&O intake and output
IB immune body
IB inclusion body
IBC iron binding capacity
IBI intermittent bladder irrigation
IBL immunoblastic lymphoadenopathy
IBP iron binding protein
IBP intraaortic balloon pumping
IBS irritable bowel syndrome
IC inspiratory center
IC integrated circuit
IC50 50% inhibitory concentration
ICD International Classification of Diseases
ICFA induced complement fixing antigen
ICG test indocyanine green test
ICH intracranial hemorrhage
ICM intercostal margin
ICN intensive care nursery
ICP intracranial pressure
ICS intercostal space
ICSA islet cell surface antibody
ICSH interstitial cell stimulating hormone
ICT intracranial tumor
ICT isometric contraction time
ICU intensive care unit
ICW intracellular water
I & D incision and drainage
ID information density
ID intrinsicoid deflection
ID curve intensity-duration curve = strength-duration (SD) curve
IDI independent drug information
IDL test intensity difference limen
IDP integrated data processing
IDS interoceptive discriminative stimulus
IEC intraepithelial carcinoma
IEE inner enamel epithelium
IEF isoelectric-focusing electrophoresis
IEP immunoelectrophoresis
IF intermediate frequency
IF intrinsic factor
IgA immunoglobin A
IGR intrauterine growth retardation
IHA indirect hemagglutination (antibody)
IHD ischemic heart disease
IHGH iodinated human growth hormone
IHSA iodinated human serum albumin
II image intensifier
II icterus index = Meulengracht unit (MG)
IIP pulmonary second sound
IJP inhibitory postsynaptic potential
ILA insulin-like activity
ILAS insulin-like activity substance
ILBBB incomplete left bundle branch block
ILD induced labyrinthine deviation
I-MAA I-macroaggregated albumin
IMV intermittent mandatory ventilation
IND investigational new drug
INF information network system
INI intranuclear inclusion
I & O intake and output
I/O input-output
IOP intraocular pressure
IP International Pharmacopeia
IP image plate
IP isoelectric point
IP intravenous pyelography (also IVP)
IP joint interphalangeal joint
IPD intermittent peritoneal dialysis
IPH idiopathic portal hemosiderosis
IPH idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis
IPNPB intermittent positive/negative pressure breathing
IPNPV intermittent positive/negative pressure ventilation
IPPB intermittent positive pressure breathing
IPPV intermittent positive pressure ventilation
IPV inactivated polio vaccine
IQ intelligence quotient
IR internal resistance
IR isogeneic resistance
IR inversion recovery
IRBBB incomplete right bundle branch block
IRD idiopathic respiratory distress
= pulmonary hyaline membrane disease
IRG immunoreactive globulin
IRI immunoreactive insulin
IROS ipsilateral routing of signal (for hearing aid)
IRS infernal revenoo surface
IS initial segment
ISF interstitial fluid
ISG immune serum globulin
ISI insulin sensitivity index
IT isomeric transition
ITP idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura = hemorrhagic purpura
ITT insulin tolerance test
IU international unit
IU immunizing unit
IUD intrauterine device
IV intravenous
IVC inferior vena cava
IVDSA intravenous digital subtraction angiography
IVF intravascular fluid
IVF in-virto fertilization
IVH intravenous hyperalimentation
IVH intraventricular hemorrhage
IVJC intervertebral joint complex
IVP intravenous pyelography (also IP)
IVS intervening sequence (intron)
IVT intravenous transfusion
IVU intravenous urography
IW insensible water
IZS insulin zinc suspension

J
J-chain joining chain
JEV Japanese encephalitis virus
JFK johnfitzgeraldkennedy (airport)
JND just noticeable difference = differential limen (cf. DL)
JRA juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
JVP jugular venous pulse

K
K cell killer cell
KAP survey knowledge-aptitude-practice survey
KCG kinetocardiography
KCL keratoconus line
KE knowledge engineer
KFD virus Kyasanur forest disease virus
KLH keyhole limpet hemocyanin
KP keratic precipitates
KR knowledge of result
KUB kidney, ureter and bladder

L
LA left atrium
LA/AO aortic dimension
LAD lactic acid dehydrogenase
LAD left axis deviation
LAD left anterior descending branch
LAD left atrial dimension
LADI left atrial dimension index
LAIR latex agglutination inhibition reaction
LAO left anterior oblique position
LAP left atrial pressure
LAP leucine aminopeptidase
LASER light amplification by simulated emission of radiation
LATS long-acting thyroid stimulator
LBBM left bundle branch block
LBJ lyndonbainesjohnson
LBM lean body mass
LC laryngitis chronica = chronic laryngitis
LCAT lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase
LCCS low cervical c(a)esarean section
LCM lost costal margin
LCM lymphocytic choriomeningitis
LD lethal dose = fatal dose
LD light difference
LD lymphocyte defined antigen
LD50 half-lethal dose = median lethal dose
LDH lactate dehydrogenase
LDL low density lipoprotein
LE left eye = oculus sinister (OS)
LE lower extremity = leg
LET linear energy transfer
LETS large external transformation-sensitive protein = fibronectin
LF unit limit flocculation unit
LFD least fatal dose = minimum lethal dose (MLD, DLM)
LFT latex fixation test
LFT liver function test
LFT low frequency transduction
LGL syndrome Lown-Ganong-Levine syndrome
LGV lymphogranuloma (inguinale) venereum = fourth venereal disease
LH left hand
LH luteinizing hormone
LHRF luteinizing hormone releasing factor
LHRH luteinizing hormone releasing hormone
LHS left heart strain
LI lymphocytic index
LIBC latent iron binding capacity
LICM left intercostal margin
LIF left iliac fossa
LKS liver-kidney-spleen
LLD low level discrimination
LLL left lower lobe
LLN lower limit of normal
LLQ left lower quadrant
LM long-life milk
LMD local medical doctor
LMN lower motor neuron
LMWD low molecular weight dextran
LNMP last normal menstrual period
LOM limit(-ation) of movement
LOP left oblique projection
LOS low (cardiac) output syndrome
LOS low oxygen syndrome
LOV large opaque vesicle
LP lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
LPA left pulmonary artery
LPAT latex particle agglutination test
LPF leukopromoting factor
LPF lymphocytosis promoting factor
LPF low power field
LPL lipoprotein lipase
LPO left posterior oblique
LR latency relaxation
LRD low residue diet
LS lumbosacral
LSB left sternal border
LSF line spread function
LSF lymphocytosis stimulating factor
LT lymphotoxin
LTB laryngotracheobronchitis
LTH luteotropic hormone = prolactin
LTHIF luteotropic hormone inhibitory factor
LTLT low temperature long-time pasteurization (milk)
LUE left upper extremity
LUL left upper lobe
LUQ left upper quadrant
LV left ventricle
LVAD left ventricle assist device
LVEDV left ventricular end-diastolic volume
LVESV left ventricular end-systolic volume
LVET left ventricular ejection time
LVF left ventricular failure
LVH left ventricular hypertrophy
LVP left ventricular pressure
LWS cone long wave senstive cone (of eye)
LyNeF lytic nephritic factor

M
M1 magnetic dipole
MA mental age
MA test microscopic agglutination test
MAA macroaggregated albumin
MAC maximum allowable concentration
MAC minimum alveolar (anesthetic) concentration
MAD maximum allowable dose
MADI maximum acceptable daily intake
(cf. ADI)
MAF macrophage activating factor
MAF macrophage aggregating factor
MAF macrophage arming factor
MAF minimum audible field
MAL test microscopic agglutination-lysis test
MAO modified anterior oblique
MAO monoamine oxidase
MAOI monoamine oxidase inhibitor
MAP mean arterial pressure
MAP minimum audible pressure
MAR minimal angle resolution
MAS manifest anxiety scale
MAS meconium aspiration syndrome
MBC maximal/maximum breathing capacity
MBD microbrain (cell) damage
MBD minimal brain damage/dysfunction syndrome = Straus syndrome
Mbl myeloblast
MBP mean blood pressure
MCA maximum growth allowance concentration
MCD mean corpuscular diameter
MCF macrophage chemotactic factor
MCF monocyte chemotactic factor
MCFP mean circulatory filling pressure
MCG magnetic cardiogram
MCH mean corpuscular hemoglobin
MCHC mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration
MCL midclavicular line
MCLS mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome
MCOS mucocutaneous-ocular syndrome
MCT mean circulation time
MCT mean corpuscular thickness
MCT medium chain triglyceride
MCT multiple compressed tablet
MCTD mixed connective tissue disease
MCV mean corpuscular volume
MDC maximal diffusing capacity
MDF myocardial depressant factor
MDF macrophage disappearance factor
MDR macrophage disappearance reaction
MDS multidimensional scale
MDT mirror drawing test
MDV maximum desire to void
ME medical electronics
MED median erythrocyte diameter
MED minimal effective dose
MED minimal erythema dose
MEF maximal expiratory flow
MEH melanophore expanding hormone
(cf. MSH)
MEM modified eagle medium
MEM minimum essential medium
MEN multiple endocrine neoplasia
mEq milliequivalent
MER methanol extraction residue
MET maximum exercise tolerance
METS maximum exercise tolerance scale
METT maximum exercise tolerance test
METU maximum exercise tolerance unit
MF mitogenic factor
MFB metallic foreign body
MFT mucous membrane function test
MG Meulengracht unit = icterus index (II)
MGCN mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis
MGI macrophage and granulocytic inducer
MGP methylgreen pyronin(e)
MH marital history
MH menstrual history
MH test mixed hemadsorption test
MHA microangiopathic hemolytic anemia
MHC major histocompatibility complex
MHD minimum hemolytic dilution
MHD minimum hemolytic dose
MHN morbus haemolytical neonatorum = neonatal jaundice
MHS multiphasic health screening
MI menopausal index
MI morphological index
MI motility index
MI myocardial infarction
MI test migration inhibition test
MIAA microaggregated albumin
MIC minimum inhibitory concentration
MID multi-infarct senile dementia = Alzheimer¹s disease
MID minimal infecting dose
MID minimum inhibitory dose
MIF migration inhibition (-tory) factor
MIRD Medical Internal Radiation Dose (Committee)
MKSA unit meter-kilogram-second ampere unit (system)
MLC mixed lymphocyte culture
MLD minimum lethal dose = least fatal dose (LFD, DLM)
MLR mixed lymphocyte reaction
MLF syndrome medial longitudinal fasciculus syndrome
MLT median lethal time
MLTC mixed lymphocyte tumor cell culture
MLTI mixed lymphocyte tumor cell interaction
MLTR mixed lymphocyte tumor cell reaction
MLTT mixed lymphocyte tumor cell test
MM maintenance medium
MMIF macrophage migration inhibition factor
MMIT macrophage migration inhibition test
MML maximum noneffective level
MMPI Minnesota multiphasic personality inventory
MMR measles,, mumps, and rubella vaccine
MMT manual muscle test
MND minimum necrosing dose
MND motor neuron disease
MO mineral oil
MOC myocardial oxygen consumption
MOI multiplicity of invasion
MP melting point
MP joint metatarsophalangeal joint (also MPJ, MTP joint)
MP stop metacarpophalangeal extension stop
MPA main pulmonary artery
MPC maximum permissible concentration MPD maximum permissible dose
MPDE maximum permissible dose equivalent
MPF monocytosis-producing factor
MPI Moudsley personality inventory
MPJ metacarpophalangeal joint, metatarsophalangeal joint
MPN maximum/most probability number
MPO myeloperoxidase
MPS mucopolysaccharide
MR mitral regurgitation
MRC Medical Research Council
MRC medullary respiratory chemo(re)ceptor
MRD minimum reacting dose
MRI(T) magnetic resonance imaging (tomography)
MRR medical research reactor
MRSA methicillin resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
M-spike medullated spike
MS maintenance solution
MS mitral stenosis
MS multiple sclerosis
MSA/MeSA methylated bovine serum albumin
MSF migration stimulation factor
MSH melanocyte/melanophore stimulating hormone (cf. MEH)
MSP microspectrophotometer
MSR monosynaptic reflex
MSW medical social worker
MT membrane tympani = ear drum (also Mt, cf. TM)
MT magnetic tape
MTD maximum tolerance dose
MTD minimal toxic dose
MTF modulation transfer function
MTL medium tolerable limit
MTP metatarsophalangeal joint (also MP joint, MTJ)
MTT mean transit time
MTV mammary tumor virus = mammary cancer virus
MV minute ventilation = respiratory minute volume (RMV)
MVB multiple vesicle body
MVO2 mean venous oxygen content
MVR maximum voiding rate
MVV maximal voluntary ventilation
MW molecular weight
MWPC multiwire proportional chamber
MWS cone medium wave sensitive cone (of eye)

N
NAD nicotinamide adenine dinucleotidase
NADP nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate
NADP2 nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate dehydrogenase
NAM normal adult male
NAP negative after-potential
NB neurogenic bladder
NBT nitroblue tetrazolium
NC (curve) noise criteria (curve)
NCA noise criteria alternate
NCA neurocirculatory asthenia = irritable heart = cardiac neurosis
NCF neutrophil chemotactic factor
N-D nicotinamide adenine dinucleotid
ND (curative) neck dissection
ND neutral density
ND50 median neutralization dose
NDA new drug application
NDT non-destructive test
NDV Newcastle disease virus
NG new growth = tumor = neoplasma
NH neonatal hepatitis
NI natural insemination
NICU newborn intensive care unit
NICU neonatal intensive care unit
NIDDM non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus = type 2 diabetes
NIH National Institute of Health
NITTS noise-induced temporary threshold shift
NK cell natural killer cell
NLA neuroleptic anesthesia/analgesia = neuroleptoanalgesia
NLR nasolacrimal reflex
nm nanometer
N-M spike nonmedullated spike
NMN nicotinamide mononucleotide
NMR nuclear magnetic resonance
NMU neuromuscular unit
NND new and non-official drug
np no particular (problem)
NP nucleoprotein
NPC near point of convergence
NPMA neural progressive muscular atrophy
NPN non-protein nitrogen = residual nitrogen
NPRQ non-protein respiratory quotient
NPT (test) nocturnal penile tumescence (test)
NREM sleep non-rapid eye movement sleep = slow wave sleep
NRI above nutritional surgical risk index
NRPH nonredundant pinhole array
NS nervous system
NSD nominal single dose
NSE neuron specific enolase
NSILA nonsuppressible insulin-like activity
NSILA-P nonsuppressible insulin-like activity-P
NSILA-S nonsuppressible insulin-like activity-S
NSU nonspecific urethritis
N & T nose and throat
NTI nonthyroidal illness
NTP non-invasive pacemaker
N & V nausea and vomiting
Ny nystagmus
NYC big apple
NYD not yet diagnosed = undiagnosed
NZB mouse New Zealand black mouse

O
O2 oxygen
O3 ozone
OA office automation (syndrome)
OAF osteoclast activating factor
OC optic chiasma
OCR optical character recognition/optical characteristic reader
OD optical density
OD orthostatic disturbance
OD oculus dexter = right eye
ODT occlusive dressing technique
OEP original endotoxin protein
OER oxygen enhancement ratio
OGTT (per-)oral glucose tolerance test
OHI ocular hypertension indicator
OKAN optokinetic afternystagmus
OKN optokinetic nystagmus = railroad nystagmus
OKP (test) optokinetic pattern (test)
OLB osmiophilic lamellated body
OLC ordinary living condition
ONPG test orthonitrophenyl-beta-D-galactosidase test
OP osmotic pressure
OPD ocular psychosomatic disease
OPCA olivopontocerebellar atrophy
OPV oral polio vaccine
OR operations research
OR optimum requirement
OR(T) operating room (technician)
OS oculus sinister = left eye (LE)
OS opening snap (heart valve sound)
OS orthopedic surgeon
OT occupational therapy
OTCA operative transluminal coronary angioplasty
OTD organ tolerance dose
OTO otology
OVG oil (oleo-)ventriculography
OW oval window

P
PAD primary afferent depolarization
PAEDP pulmonary artery end-diastolic pressure
PAF platelet-activating factor
PAH paraaminohippuric acid
PAP primary atypical pneumonia = viral/virus pneumonia
PAP prostatic acid phosphatase
PAP pulmonary arterial pressure
PAPVR partial anomalous pulmonary venous return
PAR postanesthetic recovery
PARU postanesthetic recovery unit
PAS paraaminosalicylic acid
PAS stain periodic acid-Schiff stain
(or staining)
PAT paroxysmal atrial tachycardia
PB list phonetically balanced word list (for auditory tests)
PBA pressure breathing assister
PBC point of basal convergence
PBC primary biliary (liver) cirrhosis
PBI protein-bound iodine
PBRI protein-bound radioactive iodine
PBS phosphate-buffered saline (solution)
PBV pulmonary blood volume
PC pharyngitis chronica = chronic pharyngitis
PC present complaint
PC pulmonary capillary
PC paper chromatography
PC pnemotaxic center
PCA passive cutaneous anaphylaxis
PCE paper chromatoelectrophoresis
PCF pharyngoconjunctival fever
PCF prothrombin conversion factor
PCG phonocardiogram (-graphy)
PCM protein-calory malnutrition
PCN percutaneous nephrolithotomy
PCP primary care physician
PCR polymerase chain reaction
PCS punched-card system
PCT proximal convoluted tubule
PCV packed cell volume
PD paralysing dose
PD papilla diameter
PD peritoneal dialysis
PD prism diopter
PD progression of disease
PD provisional diagnosis = tentative diagnosis
PD pupillary distance
PDA patent ductus ateriosus = Botallo¹s foramen patent
PDC preliminary diagnostic clinic
PDGF platelet-derived growth factor
PDQ extremely rapid
PDS placental dysfunction syndrome
PDT photodynamic therapy
PE physical education = Fizz Ed
PEC peritoneal exudate cell
PEEP positive end-expiratory pressure
PEEPB positive end-expiratory pressure breathing
PEG pneumoencephalography
PEG polyethylineglycol
PENG photoelectronystagmograph
PEO progressive external ophthalmoplegia
PEP pre-ejection period
PER protein efficiency ratio
PET postron emission tomography
PETT postron emission transaxial tomography
PF primary failure
P/F pentalogy of Fallot
P-F study picture frustration study
PFU plaque forming unit
PHF paired helical filament
PG prostaglandin
PGF probability generating function
PGM phosphoglucomutase
PGO wave ponto-geniculo-occipital wave
PGP psychogalvanic phenomenon
PGR psychogalvanic reflex/response
PGSR psychogalvanic skin reaction/response
pH hydrogen exponent (measure of acidity/alkalinity of fluid)
PH pulmonary hypertension
PHI peptide histidine isoleucine
PHIN progressive hypertrophic interstitial neuritis
PHK cell postmortem human kidney cell
PI pyknosis index
PICU pediatric intensive care unit
PID pelvic inflammatory disease
PID plasma iron disappearance
PIDR plasma iron disappearance rate
PIDT1/2 plasma iron disappearance time 1/2
PIE pulmonary infiltration with eosinophilia
PIF prolactin-inhibiting factor
PIJP proximal interphalangeal joint
PIP plasma iron pool
PIT plasma iron turnover
PITR plasma iron turnover rate
PIVKA protein induced by vitamin K absence (antagonist)
PK psychokinesia
PKU phenylketonuria
PLT group psittacosis-lymphogranuloma-trachoma group
PLX prophylactic lymphadenectomy
PM phlebitis migrans = migrating phlebitis
PM tube photomultiplier tube = multiplier phototube
PMA progressive muscular atrophy
PMB postmenopausal bleeding
PMC pollen mother cell
PMD progressive muscular dystrophy (also DMP)
PMI point of maximum intensity
PMI proportional mortality indicator
PMN polymorphonuclear neutrophil(e)
PMP previous menstrual period = last menstrual period (LMP)
PM & R physical medicine and rehabilitation
PMS pregnant mare serum
PMS pre-menstrual syndrome
PMS postmenopausal syndrome
PMSG pregnant mare serum gonadotropin
PN polyarteritis nodosa
PND paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
PN-Db perceived noise level
PNE practical nurse¹s education
PNF proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation
PNG photoelectronystagmography
PNH paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
= Marchiafava-Micheli syndrome
PNI prognostic nutritional index
PNPB positive negative pressure breathing
PNMA progressive neural muscular atrophy
PNO progressive nuclear ophthalmoplegia
PNPR positive/negative pressure respiration
PNPV positive/negative pressure ventilation
PNS parasympathetic nervous system
Pnx pneumothorax (also Px)
PO per os = by mouth
POA pancreatic oncofetal antigen
POA primary optic atrophy
POC potential operated calcium channel
POMIS problem-oriented medical information system
POMR problem-oriented medical record(s)
POS problem-oriented system
Pp plasma protein
PP placental protein
PP polyphosphate
PP private patient
PP pulse pressure
PP pulmonary phthisis = tuberculosis
PP punctum proximum = nasion
pp & a palpation-percussion and auscultation
PPB positive pressure breathing
PPC progressive patient care
PPCA plasma prothrombin conversion accelerator
PPCF plasma prothrombin conversion factor
PPD purified protein derivative
PPH postpartum hemorrhage
PPH primary pulmonary hypertension
PPLO pleuropneumonia-like organism
PPO pleuropneumonia organism
PPP platelet poor plasma
PPP polluter payment principle
PQ permeability quotient
PR public relations
PR peripheral resistance
PR progressive resistance
PR punctum remotum = remote point
PR phosphorylase
PR enzyme prosthetic-group removing enzyme
PRA plasma renin activity
PRCA pure red blood cell aplasia
PRD partial reaction of degeneration
PRE progressive resistance exercise
PRF prolactin releasing hormone
PRL practical residue limit
PRP platelet rich plasma
PS point of symmetry
PS paradoxical sleep
P & S paracentesis and suction (for chest surgery)
PSAP prostatic serum acid phosphatase
PSC posterior subcapsular cataract
PSF polymorphonuclear stimulating factor
PSM presystolic murmur
PSM psychosomatic medicine
PSMA progressive spinal muscular atrophy
PSP postsynaptic potential
PSP test phenolsulphonphthalein test
PSRO professional standards review organization(s)
PSS progressive systemic sclerosis
PSW psychiatric social worker
PT precipitation test
PT prothombin time
PT pars tensa = tense part
PTA plasma thromboplastin antecedent (deficiency)
PTA posttraumatic amnesia
PTA percutaneous transluminal angioplasty
PTB patellar tendon bearing
PTBD percutaneous transhepatic bile drainage
PTC penothermocurve
PTC plasma thromboplastin component
PTC percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography
PTCD percutaneous transhepatic cholangiole drainage
PTCDD percutaneous transhepatic cholangioleduodenal drainage
PTCL percutaneous transhepatic choledoscopic lithotomy
PTCR percutaneous transluminal coronary recanalization
PTE parathyroid extract
PTF plasma thromboplastin factor
PTH posttransfusion hepatitis
PTP paper tape puncher
PTP posttetanic potentiation
PTR paper tape reader
PTSD post-trauma stress disorder
PTT partial thromboplastin time
PUD peptic ulcer disease
PUFA polyunsaturated fatty acid
PUJ pyeloureteric junction
PUO pyrexia of unknown origin (cf. FUO)
PUVA psoralen ultraviolet A therapy
PV plasma volume
PVG pneumoventriculography
PVL purified vaccine lymph
PVM pneumonia virus of mice
PVR pulmonary vascular resistance
PVT paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia
PWC physical working capacity
PWC170 test physical work capacity 170 test
PWEx posterior wall excursion
PWEv posterior wall excursion velocity
PWM poke weed mitogen
PWV pulse wave velocity
Px pneumothorax (also Pnx)

Q
Q fever Queensland fever
QF quality factor
QOL quality of life
QS2 total electromechanical systole

R
R roentgen unit (also RU)
R form rough form
RA rheumatoid arthritis (cell, test, etc.)
RA residual air
RA right atrium
rad roentgen absorbed dose
RAD right axis deviation
RAG radioautogram
RAT repeat action tablet
Rb retinoblastoma
RBBB right bundle branch block
RBC red blood cells
RBE relative biological effectiveness
RBF renal blood flow
RBP retinol binding protein
RCF relative centrifugal force
RCG radioelectric cardiogram
RCIRR red cell iron renewal rate
RCIT red cell iron turnover
RCM reinforced clostridial medium
RCM right costal margin
RCT recycling time/recirculating time
RCU respiratory care unit
RD response decline
RD retinal dysplasia
RDE receptor destroying enzyme
RE right eye = oculus dexter (OD)
REG rheoencephalography
rem roentgen equivalent man
REM random eye movement = paradoxical sleep
rep roentgen equivalent physical
RER rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum
ret roentgen equivalent tissue
RF releasing factor
RF rheumatoid (arthritis) factor (also test)
RFC rosette forming cell = thymus-derived cell (T cell)
RH relative humidity
RHD relative hepatic dullness
RHD rheumatic heart disease
RHF right heart failure
rhm roentgen per hour per meter
RI radioisotope = radioactive isotope
RI regular insulin
RI response increase
RIA radioimmunoassay
RICM right intercostal margin
RICT radionuclide computed tomography
RIF resistance-inducing factor
RIF right iliac fossa
RIFA radioiodinated fatty acid
RIHA radioiodinated human serum albumin (also RISA)
RIND reversible ischemic nervous disturbance
RISA radioiodinated human serum albumin (also RIHA)
RIST radioimmunosorbent test
RIT radioiodinated triolein
RKY roentgen kymography
RL reduction level
RLE right lower extremity = right leg
RLF retrolental fibroplasia
RLL right lower lobe
RMA respiratory minute volume
RML right middle lobe
RMV respiratory minute volume = minute ventilation (MV)
ROC receptor operated calcium channel
ROM range of motion
RMP regional medical programs = regional health planning
RMR relative metabolic rate
RNA ribonucleic acid
RND radical neck dissection
RP resting potential
RP retrograde pyelography
RPA right pulmonary artery
RPF relaxed pelvic floor
RPF renal plasma flow
RPO right posterior oblique
RPRCT rapid plasma reagin circular card test
RPS renal pressure substance
RQ recovery quotient
RR respiratory rate
r-RNA ribosome RNA
RRT relative retention time
RS reinforcing stimulus
RSA relative specific activity
RS virus respiratory syncytial virus
RSSE Russian spring-summer encephalitis (virus)
RT adiotherapy
RT ectal temperature
RTV roentgen television = X-ray television
RV renal venography
RV residual volume
RU roentgen unit (also R)
RU rat unit
RUE right upper extremity = right arm
RUL right upper lobe
RV right ventricle
RV right vision, right visus
RVH right ventricular hypertrophy
RVP right ventricular pressure
RZ return-to-zero

S
S form smooth form
S value similarity value
SAA serum-amyloid-A component
SAB selective alveobronchography
SACH foot solid ankle cushion heel foot
SAI social adequacy index
SAM senesence accelerated mouse
SARS severe respiratory acute syndrome
SBE subacute bacterial endocarditis
SBO specific behavioral objective
SBP serum-blocking power
SBS reflex spino-bulbal-spinal reflex
SCAG selective celiac angiography
SCD spinocerebellar degeneration
SCDC subacute combined degeneration of spinal cord
SCI severe cervical injury
SCID* severe combined immunodeficiency
SCID subacute combined immunodeficiency
SCJ squamocolumnar junction
SCN suprachiasmatic nuclei
SCP single cell protein
SCT sentence completion test
SD standard deviation
SD antigen serologically defined antigen
SD curve strength-duration curve = intensity-duration (ID) curve
S-D spike somatodendric spike
SDA specific dynamic reaction
SDAT senile dementia of Alzheimer type
SDH sorbitol dehydrogenase
SDH succinate dehydrogenase
SDI selective dissemination of information
SDLE subacute disseminated lupus erythematosus
SDS sodium dodecylsulphate
SDS-PAGE sodium dodecylsulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
SE system engineering
SEA Staphylococcus aureus enteroxin A
SED skin erythema dose
SEM scanning electron microscope
SER smooth-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum
SF sensitizing factor
SFD small for date (infant) = small for gestational age
SFMC soluble fibrin monomer complex
SFU site forming unit
SG specific gravity
sGOT serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase
sGPT serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase
SGV small granule vesicle
SH serum hepatitis
SH steroid hormone (also STH)
SHD syphilitic heart disease
SHR spontaneously hypertensive rat
SI serum iron
SI smear index
SI stable isotope
SIADH syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone
SIDS sudden infant death syndrome
SIRS soluble immune response suppressor
SISI short increment sensitivity test
SJR small fiber junctional potential
SK streptokinase
SK-SD streptokinase-streptodornase
SLB short leg brace
SLE St. Louis encephalitis
SLE systemic lupus erythematosis
SLFEIA substrate labeled flourescent (enzyme) immunoassay
SLO streptolysin O
SLS streptolysin S
SM systolic murmur
SMA smooth muscle antibody
SMAF specific macrophage arming factor
SMFC secondary failure mean of corpus
SMON subacute myelo-optico-neuropathy
SMR submucous resection (of nasal septum) = septum reconstruction
SMR somnolent metabolic rate
SMR standard metabolic rate
SMR standard mortality ratio
SMSA standard metropolitan statistical area
S/N ratio signal to noise ratio
SNagg serum normal agglutinator
SNE subacute necrotizing encephalomyelopathy/encephelopathy
SNE sympathetic nerve ending
SNOMED systematic nomenclature of medicine
SNOP systematic nomenclature of pathology
SO2 oxygen saturation (of blood)
SOB specific observable behavior
SOL space occupying lesion
SOR synchrotron orbital radiation
SORT structures-objective Rorschach test
SP summation/summating potential
SPA summation potential analgesia
SPCA serum protein conversion acceleration
SPCG spectral phonocardiogram
SPECT single photon emission computerized tomography
SPI synthetic personality inventory
SPMA spinal progressive muscular atrophy
SPPS stable plasma protein solution
SQUID superconducting quantum interference device
S-R variation smooth-rough variation
SRA startle response audiometry
s-RNA soluble RNA
SRI systolic time interval
SRID single radial immunodiffusion
SRQ-D self-rating questionnaire for depression
SRS slow reacting substance
SRS-A slow reacting substance of allergy
SRT speech-reception threshold = masking threshold
SSC stimulation-secretion coupling
SSD solid state detector
SSD source-skin distance
SSPE subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (and SSPE virus) = van Bogaert¹s encephalitis
(leukoencephalitis)
SSS specific soluble substance
STC sensitivity time control
STD Schick test dose
STD sexually transmitted disease
STD source-tumor disease
STH somatropic hormone = growth hormone STH steriod hormone (also SH)
STPD standard temperature, pressure and dry condition (cf. ATPS)
STS serologic(al) test for syphilis = syphilis serodiagnosis
STT serial thrombin time
SU skin unit
SV40 simian virus 40
SVC superior vena cava
SVCS superior vena cava syndrome
SVD swine vesicular disease
SVG saphenous vein graft
SVI slow virus infection
SVR systemic vascular resistance

T
T cell thymus-derived cell = rosette forming cell (also T lymphocyte)
T3 triiodothyrine
T3RU triiodothyronine (T3) resin uptake
T4 thyroxine/thyroxin
TA technology assessment
TA tricuspid atresia
TA typhus abdominalis = typhoid fever
TAO thromboangitis obliterans = Buerger¹s disease
TAP total acid phosphatase
TAPVR total anomalous pulmonary venous return
TAT thematic apperception test
TB total bilirubin
TBF total body fluid
TBG thyroxine binding globulin
TBLB transbronchial lung biopsy
TBP testosterone binding protein
TBP thyroxine binding protein
TBPA thyroxine binding prealbumin
TBT tracheobronchial toilet
TBV total blood volume
TBW total body water
TC tissue culture
TC total cholesterol
TCA cycle tricarbolic acid cycle
TCC thromboblastic cell component
TCD total cardiac dimension
TCIA transient cerebral ischemic attack
TCID50 median tissue culture infective dose
TD tolerance dose = permissible dose = acceptable dose
TD thymus dependent
TD transverse diameter
TD50 median toxic dose
TDM therapeutic drug monitoring
TDR time-dose relationship
TDS total dissolved solids
TE tissue equivalent (also TE chamber)
TE tonic extension
TEA thromboendoartectomy
TEG thromboelastogram
TEM transmission electron microscope
TEN toxic epidermal necrosis
TENS transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation
TF tactile fremitus
TF transfer factor
T/F tetralogy of Fallot (also T of F) (congenital heart defect)
TFd dialyzable transfer factor
TFA total fatty acid
TFN total fecal nitrogen
TGC time gain compensation
TGE theoretical growth evaluation
TGE virus transmissible gastroenteritis virus (of swine)
TGF transforming growth factor
TGF tubuloglomerular feedback
TGT thromboplastin generation test
TGV thoracic gas volume
Thy thymine
TI thymus independent
TIBC total iron binding capacity
TIC50 median tissue culture = infective dose
t.i.d. ter in die = three times a day
TIP translation inhibitory protein
TIU thyroid iodine uptake (rate)
TL antigen thymic lymphocyte antigen
TLC thin layer chromatography
TLC total lung capacity
TLC deep affection and concern
TLD thermoluminescence dosimeter
Tm thermal denaturation temperature
Tm tubular excretory mass (limiting reabsorption)
Tm tubular transport maximum
TM tympanic membrane = ear drum
(cf. MT) (also Tm)
TMJ temporomandibular joint disorder
TMR topical magnetic resonance
TMV tobacco mosaic virus
TNF tumor necrotizing factor
TNM tumor-node-metastasis (classification)
TNP trinitrophenyl group
TNR tonic neck reflex
TOC total organic carbon
TOD total oxygen demand
TOS tricuspid (valve) opening snap
TP total protein
TPA tissue plasminogen activator
TP Treponema palladium [syphilis germ]
TPA test Treponema palladium agglutination test
TPCF test Treponema palladium complement fixation test
TPHA test Treponema palladium hemagglutination test
TPI test Treponema palladium immobilization test
TPIA Treponema palladium immune adherence test
TPMB Treponema palladium methylene test
TPN total parenteral nutrition
TPN triphosphopyridine nucleotide
(+ diaphorase)
TPR total peripheral resistance
TPV total plasma volume
TQC total quality control
TRBF total renal blood flow
TRC tanned red cell
TRCH tanned red cell hemagglutination
TRF T cell replacing factor
TRH thyrotropin releasing hormone
TRI total red cell iron
TRI test tetrazolum reduction inhibition test
tRNA transfer RNA (q.v.)
TRPF total renal plasma flow
TS terminal sensation
TS test solution
TS thoracic surgery
TSA tumor specific antigen
TSH thyroid stimulating hormone
TSI thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin
TSS toxic shock syndrome
TSSA tumor specific surface antigen
TST thromboplastin screening test
TSTA tumor specific transplantation antigen
TT toilet training
TTA transtracheal aspiration
TTI tension-time index
TTP thrombotic thrombo(cyto)penic purpura
TTS temporary threshold shift
TTT thymol turbidity test
TTT time-temperature tolerance
TTX tetrodotoxin
TU toxic unit
TUL transurethral ureterolithotrypsy
TUR transurethral resection
TUV total urine volume
TVR total vascular resistance
Tx thymectomized

U
UA urine aliquot
UBI ultraviolet blood irradiation
UCT ultrasonocardiotomography
UCG ultrasonic cardiogram, ultrasonocardiography
UCG urethrocystography
UCHD usual childhood diseases = general infantile illnesses
UCR unconditioned reflex
UCS unconditioned stimulus
UD ulcus duodeni = duodenal ulcer
UDP uridine diphosphate
UHT ultrahigh temperature sterilization
UIBC unsaturated iron binding capacity
UICC International Union Against Cancer
ULD upper level discriminator
ULL uncomfortable loudness level
ULN upper limits of normal
UMN upper motor neuron
UMP uridine monophosphate
UN urea nitrogen
UP ureteropelvic (junction)
UPJ uteropelvic junction
URF uterine relaxing factor
URI upper respiratory infection
UTD uridine triphosphate
UTI urinary tract infection
UU urine urobilinogen
UV ureterovesical (junction)
UV urethrovaginal (fistula)
UVA ultraviolet A
UVB ultraviolet B
UVC ultraviolet C
UVJ uterovesical junction

V
VA shunt ventriculoatrial shunt = ventriculoatriostomy
VACTERL vertebral-anal-cordial-tracheal-esophageal-renal-limb (syndrome)
VAD ventricular assisting device
VAN value added network (for computers)
VAT ventricular activation time
VB veronal buffer
VCG vector cardiogram, vector cardiography
VCM vasocollaptive material
Vd visus dexter = right eye visual acuity
Vd volume of distribution
VD venereal disease
VDA visual discriminatory acuity
VDM vasodilator material = vasodilator substance
VDRL (test) Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (test)
VDT video/visual display terminal
VE visual efficiency
VEDP ventricular enddiastolic pressure
VEDV ventricular enddiastolic volume
VEM vasoexcitor material
VEP visual evoked potential
VESV ventricular endsystolic volume
Vf visual field = field of view/vision
VF vocal fremitus
VFC ventricular function curve
VHF therapy very high frequency therapy
VI volume index
VIA virus inactivating agent
VIG vaccinia (=cowpox) immune globulin
VIP vasoactive intestinal peptide
VLDL very low density lipoprotein
VNC vesical neck constriction
VOD visus (oculus) dextri = right vision
VOS visus (oculus) sinistri = left vision
V/P ratio ventilation-perfusion ratio
VP shunt ventriculoperitoneal shunt
VPB ventricular premature beat
VPC ventricular premature contraction
VPR volume-pressure ratio
VR vocal resonance
VRD viral respiratory disease
VRE vancomycin resistant enteroccoci
VRI viral respiratory infection
Vs visus sinister = left eye visual acuity
VS vaginal smear
VS volumetric solution
VSD ventricular septal defect
VSP ventricular septal perforation
VSS visual sexual stimulation
VSSA virus-specific surface-antigen
VTE vicarious trial and error
VTR video tape recorder/recording
VUR vesicoureteral reflux
VV fistula vasicovaginal fistula
VW vascular wall, vessel wall
VZ virus varicella-zoster virus = chickenpox-shingles virus

W
wa water activity
WAIS Wechsler-Bellevue adult intelligence scale
WaR Wassermann¹s reaction (for syphilis)
WB whole blood
WBC white blood cells (corpuscle)
WDHA watery diarrhea, hypokalemia and achlorhydria (syndrome)
WDHAS watery diarrhea, hypokalemia and achlorhydria syndrome
WHO World Health Organization
WISC Wechsler intelligence scale for children
WLN within limits of normal (also WNL)
WNAP whole nerve action potential
WNL within normal limits (also WLN)
W/O water-in-oil (emulsion or type)
WP wet pack = compress = fomentation = cataplasm
WPW syndrome Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
WR Wassermann¹s reaction (for syphilis)

X
XL excess lactate
XT exotropia = divergent squint
Xyl xylose

Y
Y-G test Yatabe-Guilford personality inventory
YS yellow spot = macula lutea (on retina)

Z
ZD zero defect
ZEEP zero end-expiratory breathing
ZIG zoster (=shingles) immune globulin
ZnTT zinc sulfate turbidity test (also ZST)
ZPG zero population growth
ZST zinc sulfate (turbidity) test (also ZnTT)