The Temporomandibular System and Temporomandibular Disorders

Temporomandibular disorder or TMD is a broad term referring to problems with the jaws and their functioning. It is commonly referred to as "TMJ".This system is very complex and problems are caused by a variety of factors. This web page will attempt to give you a general overview of TMD so you can better understand the problems you may have been having.

The Temporomandibular System

The temporomandibular system consists of three basic components; the temporomandibular joint or TMJ, the teeth, and the neuromuscular system. 

Muscles of Mastication and TMJ

TMJ- This is the term often used to describe TMD, but it specifically refers to the joints that work your lower jaw, or mandible. These two joints are found just in front of the ears. Their close proximity to the ear is why some patients experience ear symptoms and can often hear the joint pop or crack. These two joints never act alone, that is, when your jaw functions, both joints will be working. There is a small cartilage disc between your lower jaw and skull in the joint. Some TMD problems are caused by dysfunction of this disk. When healthy it acts as a sort of "shock absorber" for the joint.

Teeth- The teeth are like the third leg of a tripod, the TMJ’s being the other two legs. The alignment of your bite and the functioning of the TMJ’s are intimately connected. Problems in any of the three areas may affect the other two.

Neuromuscular- This system is the nerves and muscles which work the temporomandibular system. It is important to realize that only the lower jaw, or mandible, moves during jaw function. The upper jaw, or maxilla, does not move; it is firmly attached to the skull. Therefore, the nerves and muscles are involved in moving the lower jaw only. The nerves transmit the messages for the muscles to move the jaw. They also transmit pain signals to the brain causing you to feel discomfort. The muscles are fairly large and are found from the side of your head down to your neck. Other related muscles that do not specifically work the jaw, but are sometimes symptomatic are found in the neck, face, and upper back.

What Defines TMD 

A wide spectrum of specific and non specific disorders that produce symptoms of pain and dysfunction of muscles of mastication,Temporomandibular joint and other associated structures.

Symptoms and signs of TMD can include some or all of the following.

Jaw pain and/or stiffness

Headaches, usually at the temples and side of head

Vague tooth soreness or toothaches which often move around the mouth

Sensitive teeth

Painful or tender jaw joint

Difficulty opening jaw

Pain and fatigue when eating hard or chewy foods

Clicks, pops, or grinding sound in jaw joint

Ear pain

Cervical neck tension and pain

Tooth wear

Diagnostic classification of Temporomandibular Disorders

Congenital or Developmental Disorders

• Aplasia 
• Hypoplasia 
• Hyperplasia 
• Neoplasia

Disc Dearrangement Disorders

• Disc displacement with reduction 
• Disc displacement without reduction

TMJ dislocation

Inflammatory disorders

• Capsulitis/Synovitis 
• Polyarthritides

Osteoarthritis

• Primary osteoarthritis 
• Secondary osteoarthritis

Masticatory Muscle disorders

• Myofacial Pain 
• Myositis 
• Myospasm 
• Myofibrotic  contracture 
• Neoplasia

Temporomandibular disorders come in many forms and varying degrees of severity. Basically TMD is a problem when you either experience pain and/or a loss of jaw function. The pain can range from a mild ache in the morning to a chronic debilitating pain. Loss of function can be mild jaw stiffness to being unable to open the jaw barely at all.

The symptoms of TMD can be an obvious jaw pain in the muscles near the mouth, but can also often exhibit as headache at the temples ("temporal headache"). This is due to inflammation in the large jaw closing temporalis muscle which is on either side of your head. To find this muscle place your hands on your temples and clench your teeth hard and you will feel this powerful muscle contract. Patients often feel this symptom is a tension headache or sinus headache but it can be easily differentiated during a TMD exam. Patients understandably (and many doctors) fail to make this connection between TMD and headaches.

The pain of TMD can come from either the muscles or the TM joint itself; often it comes from a combination of the two. The muscles can ache due to causes discussed below. Pain in the joint is usually due to inflammation within the structure itself. Sometimes the symptoms are found in other facial structures; such as dull ear pain, toothache, neck pain, etc. This referred pain is fairly common but it is important to rule out medical and/or dental causes of these pains prior to TMD treatment.

Loss of jaw function can be due to muscular and/or joint problems as well, just as pain can. The degree to which each is involved is determined through thorough history and exam.

Causes of TMD

Temporomandibular disorders rarely have a single cause. Any one of the following factors may contribute to TMD. Each patient presents with an individual combination of factors that are determined during history taking and clinical exam.

Trauma - Acute trauma to the jaws such as a car accident, a fall, a punch, etc. can cause damage to the muscles and/or joint. The acute pain and loss of function is usually responsive to conservative treatment. Sometimes trauma to the joint can cause chronic damage which may eventually contribute to a TMD problem at a later time.

Bruxism - Bruxism refers to a non functional grinding and clenching of the teeth. Some do this while awake but more often it is done while sleeping. Most people grind their teeth while sleeping to some degree. For whatever reason some people do this very hard to the point where they wear the enamel from their teeth. This bruxing is done by the jaw muscles and by the morning they can be painful due to fatigue. This constant pressure also can damage the TMJs over time. Bruxism is the most common factor found in TMD.

Malocclusion - This term means "bad bite". Sometimes when the teeth do not bite together in harmony with the shape and position of the joints it can place pressure on the joints. Missing teeth can sometimes contribute to this as well. The misalignment can also put strain on the jaw muscles. This factor can be mild to severe. Though the bite is an important part of the whole system it is only altered after conservative measures and only if it is felt improvement will result. In some patients discrepancies (known as interferences) become apparent after wearing the NTI device for a few months and a bite adjustment is recommended. Treatment of the bite for TMD is usually not needed but its contribution to the whole must be examined.

Emotion - Emotional stress often plays an integral role in the development of TMD. This occurs due to two basic reasons. Stress increases both the severity and duration of bruxism while asleep. Also, many will subconsciously clench and/or grind their teeth more while awake during times of stress. The other way stress contributes to TMD is that during times of stress your adaptability and pain threshold will go down. As a result you are more likely to experience symptoms of TMD if other factors already exist (bruxing, joint damage, etc.).

Emotional conditions beyond daily life stress can contribute to TMD as well. Depression, anxiety disorders, and the like can often have TMD problems arise. These conditions are quite stressful and it is not hard to imagine why TMD would develop.

Ergonomic - Your job and how you do it can contribute to TMD and related problems. If you work at a computer all day, for example, you may be holding your head in such a way that places strain on your TM system.

TMD Treatment

Treatment plans for TMD are as varied as the patients that present with it. Each patient must be treated differently depending on the uniqueness of their problems and the contributing factors. Pain Relief Info.

It is very important to realize that the goal of TMD treatment is to minimize pain and establish a return to function. TMD conditions are not "cured" but are managed instead. The basic goal is to allow the muscles and joints to heal through rest and care. Often damage to the joint itself can not be reversed, but the body can often heal it enough to return to function without pain. We also want to teach you to recognize the symptoms early and manage them yourself once we give you the tools to do so. This condition can often recur later on but early care can minimize the severity.

The basic philosophy of treatment is to do the conservative and reversible treatments first. Irreversible treatments, such as surgery or orthodontics, are only considered if conservative steps have failed to bring lasting relief. These more radical treatments are rarely used. Most patients respond well to simpler care.

The following treatment modalities may be used in each case.

Conservative treatment

• Patient education and self care 
• Rest and relaxation 
• Cognitive behavioral intervention 
• Pharmacotherapy 
• Occlusal therapy 
• Occlusal therapy 
• Orthopedic appliances 
• Physiotherapy 
• Rehabilitation of Denatal deficits 
• Management of trigger points

Surgical Treatment

• Arthrocentesis 
• Arthroscopy 
• Arthroplasty 
• Discectomy 
• Condylectomy

Occlusal Splint - Also called a night guard is designed to protect the teeth from further wear. These also will reduce the severity of grinding at night and allow the muscles to rest. In more severe cases it needs to be worn all day as well to allow the TMJ and muscles to rest.

Medical Abbreviations and Acronyms for Medical Terms

Abbreviation and Medical Term

AAA Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

AAD Antibiotic-associated diarrhea

AAO Alert, awake and oriented

AAS Acute Abdominal Series

AB Abortion ab, abs Abdomen or Abdominal

ABD Abdomen

ABE Acute Bacterial Endocarditis

ABG Arterial Blood Gas

ABI Acquired Brain Injury

AC Before eating

ACB Aortocoronary Bypass

ACD Anemia of Chronic Disease

ACE Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme

ACL Anterior Cruciate Ligament

ACLS Advanced Cardiac Life Support

ACS Acute Coronary Syndrome

ACTH Adrenocorticotropic Hormone

AD Alzheimer's Disease

ADA Adenosine Deaminase

ADD Attention Deficit Disorder

ADH Antidiuretic Hormone

ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ADR Adverse Drug Reaction

ADR Acute Dystonic Reaction

AE Hyperkalemia

AED Antiepileptic Drug

AED Automated External Defibrillator

AF Atrial Fibrillation or afebrile

AF Amniotic Fluid

AFB Acid Fast Bacteria

AFP Alpha-fetoprotein

AGN Acute Glomerulonephritis

AI Artificial Insemination or Aortic Insufficiency

AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

AIDP Acute Infectious and Parasitical Diseases

AIDP Autoimmune Progesterone Dermatitis

AIDP Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy

AIN Acute Interstitial Nephritis

AKA Above the Knee Amputation

ALA Aminolevulinic Acid Alc Alcohol

ALD Alcoholic Liver Disease

ALG Antilymphocytic Globulin

ALI Acute Lung Injury

ALL Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

ALP Alkaline Phosphatase

ALPS Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome

ALS Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

ALT Alanine Transaminase amb Ambulate

AMI Acute Myocardial Infarction

AML Acute Myeloid Leukemia

AMS Acute Mountain Sickness

ANA Anti-nuclear Antibody

ANS Autonomic Nervous System

AODM Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2 Diabetes)

AOM Acute Otitis Media

APC Atrial Premature Contraction

APD Adult Polycystic Disease

APECED Autoimmune Polyendocrinopathy-Candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy

APH Antepartum Hemorrhage

APKD Adult Polycystic Kidney Disease

APLS Antiphospholipid Syndrome

APR Abdominoperineal Resection

APS Autoimmune Polyendocrine/Polyglandular Syndrome

APTT Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time

ARC AIDS-related Complex

ARDS Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

ARF Acute Renal Failure Arg Arginine

ARM Artificial Rupture of Membranes

ART Antiretroviral Therapy

ARVC Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy

ARVD Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia

AS Aortic Stenosis

ASA Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin)

ASAP As soon as possible

ASCAD Arteriosclerotic Coronary Artery Disease

ASCVD Arteriosclerotic Vascular Disease (Arteriosclerosis)

ASD Autism Spectrum Disorder

ASD Atrial Septal Defect

ASGUS Atypical Squamous Glandular Cells of Undetermined Significance

ASH, ASHD Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease (Coronary Heart Disease)

ASIS Anterior Superior Iliac Spine

ASO Antistreptolysin-O

AST Aspartate Transaminase

ATN Acute Tubular Necrosis

ATNR Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex

ATP Adenosine triphosphate

ATP Acute Thrombocytopenic Purpura

ATS Anti-tetanus Serum

AV Arteriovenous/Atrioventricular

AVM Arteriovenous Malformation

AVR Aortic Valve Replacement

AXR Abdominal X-Ray

AZT Azidothymidine

a.a. Amino Acids

A-a gradient Alveolar to Arterial Gradient

A/G Albumin/Globulin ratio

A-V Arteriovenous

A-VO2 Arteriovenous Oxygen

BAC Blood Alcohol Content

BAL Blood Alcohol Level

BAL Bronchoalveolar Lavage

BAO Basic Acid Output

BAT Brown Adipose Tissue

BBB Bundle Branch Block

BBB L Left Bundle Branch Block

BBB R Right Bundle Branch Block

BC Blood Culture

BCAA Brached Chain Amino Acid

BCC Basal Cell Carcinoma

BCG Bacille Calmette-Guerin (Tuberculosis Vaccination)

BCP Birth Control Pill BD Bipolar Disorder

BDD Body Dysmorphic Disorder

BDI Beck Depression Inventory

BE Barium Enema

BEE Basal Energy Expenditure

BGAT Blood Glucose Awareness Training

BGL Blood Glucose Level bid Twice a day

BiPAP Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure

BiVAD Bilateral Ventricular Assist Device

BK Bradykinin

BKA below-the-knee amputation bld Blood

BM Bone Marrow

BM Bowel Movement

BMC Bone Mineral Content

BMD Bone Mineral Density

BMI Body Mass Index

BMP Blood Metabolic Profile

BMR Basal Metabolic Rate

BMT Bone Marrow Transplant

BNP Brain Natriuretic Peptide

BOM Bilateral Otitis Media

BOOP Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia

BP Blood Pressure

BPAD Bipolar Affective Disorder

BPD Borderline Personality Disorder

BPH Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

BPM Beats Per Minute

BPPV Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

BRBPR Bright Red Blood Per Rectum

BRCA 1 Breast Cancer 1 (human gene and protein)

BS Blood Sugar

BS Breathe Sound, Bowel Sounds

BSA Body Surface Area

BSE Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy

BSL Blood Sugar Level

BRBPR Bright Red Blood Per Rectum

BRP Bathroom Privileges

BT Bleeding Time

BTL Bilateral Tubal Ligation

BTP Breakthrough pain

BUN Blood Urea Nitrogen

BVP Biventricular Vaginosis

BW Body Weight

BX Biopsy

CA Carcinoma

CA Cancer

Ca Calcium

CAA Crystalline Amino Acids

CABG Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

CAD Coronary Artery Disease

CADASIL Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy

CAG Coronary Artery Graft

CAG Coronary Angiography

CAH Chronic Active Hepatitis

CAH Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

cAMP Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate

CAPD Central Auditory Processing Disorder

CAPD Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Caps Capsule

CAT Computed Axial Tomography

CBC Complete Blood Count

CBG Capillary Blood Gas

CBS Chronic Brain Syndrome

cc Cardiac Catheter

CC Chief Complaint

CCF Congestive Cardiac Failure

CCK Cholecystokinin

CCR Cardiocerebral Resuscitation

CCU Coronary Care Unit

CCU Clean Catch Urine

CCV Critical Closing Volume

CDH Congenital Dislocated Hip

CDP Cytosine Diphosphate

CEA Carcinoembryonic Antigen, Carotid Endarterectomy

CF Cystic Fibrosis CFS Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

CGL Chronic Granulocytic Leukemia

cGMP Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate

CGN Chronic Glomerulonephritis

CH Congenital Hypothyroidism

CHD Chronic Heart Disease

CHD Coronary Heart Disease

ChE Cholinesterase

CHF Congestive Heart Failure

CHO Carbohydrate

Chol Cholesterol

CHT Congenital Hypothyroidism

CI Cardiac Index

CICU Cardiac Intensive Care Unit

CIDP Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy

Circ Circumcision

CIS Carcinoma in situ

CJD Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

CKD Chronic Kidney Disease

CKMB MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase

CLL Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

CML Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia/Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

CMML Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia

CMP Cytosine Monophosphate

CMS Chronic Mountain Sickness

CMV Cyomegalovirus

CN Cranial Nerves

CNS Central Nervous System

CO Cardiac Output, Carbon Monoxide

CO2 Carbon Dioxide C

OAD Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease

COCP Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill

COLD Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease Conj Conjunctiva

COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

COX-1 Cyclooxygenase 1

CP Cerebral Palsy

CP Chest Pain

CPAP Continuous Positive Airway Pressure

CPK Creatine Phosphokinase

CPKMB Creatine Phosphokinase heart

CPP Cerebral Perfusion Pressure

CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

CPT Current Procedural Terminology

CrCl Creatinine Clearance

CREST Calcinosis Raynaud Esophagus Sclerosis Teleangiectasiae

CRF Chronic Renal Failure CRF Corticotropin-releasing factor

CRH Corticotropin-releasing hormone

CRI Chronic Renal Insufficiency

CRNS Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

CRP C-Reactive Protein

CRT Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

CsA Ciclosporin A

CSF Cerebrospinal Fluid

CT Computerized Tomography

CTA Computed Tomography Angiography

CTP Cytosine Triphosphate

CTS Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

CTU Cancer Treatment Unit

CTX Ceftriaxone Contractions

CV Cardiovascular

CVA Costovertebral Angle

CVA Cerebrovascular Accident

CVAT CVA tenderness

CVC Central Venous Catheter

CVC Chronic Venous Congestion

CVD Cardiovascular Disease

CVI Cardiovascular incident

CVID Common Variable Immunodeficiency

CVP Central Venous Pressure

CVS Cardiovascular System

CXR Chest X-Ray

C/O Complaining of

C&S Culture & Sensitivity

C-Section Cesarean Section

D5W 5% dextrose in water

DAT Direct Antiglobulin Test

DAT Diet as tolerated

DAW Dispense as written

DBP Diastolic Blood Pressure

DBS Deep Brain Stimulation

DBT Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

DC Discharge or Discontinue

DCBE Double Contrast Barium Enema

DCIS Ductal Carcinoma in situ

DCM Dilated Cardiomyopathy

DDD Daily Defined Doses

DDS Doctor of Dental Surgery

DDx Differential Diagnosis

DES Diethylstilbestrol

Detox Detoxification

DEXA Dual Energy X-ray Absorptionmetry

DHE Dihydroergotamine

DHEA Dehydroepiandrosterone

DHEA-S Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate

DHF Decompensated Heart Failure

DI Diabetes Insipidus

DIC Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation

DID Dissociative Identity Disorder

DIP Distal Interphalangeal Joint DiPer Te Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus

Dis Dislocation

DiTe Diphtheria Tetanus

DIU Death in Utero-Stillbirth

DJD Degenerative Joint Disease (Osteoarthritis)

DKA Diabetic Ketoacidosis dl Deciliter

DLE Disseminated Lupus Erythematosus

DM Diabetes Mellitus

DMD Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

DMD Doctor of Dental Medicine

DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid

DNR Do not resuscitate

DO Doctor of Osteopathy

DOA Drugs of Abuse

DOA Dead on Arrival

DOB Date of Birth

DOE Dyspnea on Exertion

DP Dorsalis Pedis

DPH Diphenylhydantoin

DPL Diagnostic Peritoneal Lavage

DPT Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus-DPT vaccine

DSA Digital Subtraction Angiography

DSM Diagnostic and Statistical Manual

DT Diphtheria Tetanus

DT Delirium Tremens

DTA Descending Thoracic Aorta

DTP Diphtheria Tetanus Pertussis

DTR Deep Tendon Reflex

DU Duodenal Ulcer

DUB Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

DVT Deep Vein Thrombosis

DX Diagnosis dz Disease

D & C Dilation and curettage

D/C Discharge

d.d. Differential Diagnosis

EAA Essential Amino Acids

EACA Epsilon-aminocaproic acid

EBL Estimated blood loss

EBM Expressed Breast Milk

EBT Electron beam tomography

EBV Epstein-Barr Virus

ECF Extracellular fluid

ECG Electrocardiogram

ECHO Echocardiogram

ECMO Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

ECT Electroconvulsive Therapy

ED Erectile Dysfunction

ED Ectodermal Dysplasia

EDD Estimated Date of Delivery

EDH Epidural Hematoma

EDM Esophageal Doppler Monitor

EDTA Ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid

EEG Electroencephalogram

EEX Electrodiagnosis

EF Ejection Fraction

EFAD Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency

EGD Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

EI Emotional Intelligence

EKG Electrocardiogram

ELISA Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay

EmBx Endometrial Biopsy

EMF Endomyocardial Fibrosis

EMG Electromyography

EMR Electronic Medical Record

EMU Early Morning Urine Sample

EMV Eyes, motor, verbal response

ENT Ear, Nose and Throat

EOM extraocular Muscles

EOMI Extraocular Movements Intact

EPH Edema Proteinuria Hypertension

EPO Erythropoietin

EPS Electrophysiology

EQ Emotional Intelligence Quotient

ER Emergency Room

ERCP Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography

ESBL Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase

ESR Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

ESRD End-Stage Renal Disease

ESV End-systolic Volume

ESWL Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy

ET Endotracheal Etiol Etiology

ETOH Ethanol

ETS Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy

ETT Endotracheal Tube

EUA Examination under Anesthesia

EUP Extrauterine Pregnancy

EUS Endoscopic Ultrasonography

EVAR Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

EVF Erythrocyte Volume Fraction Exam Examination

Exp Lap Exploratory Laparotomy

E. Coli Escherichia Coli bacteria

F Fahrenheit

Fab Fragment Antigen Binding

FAMMM Familial Atypical Multiple Mole Melanoma Syndrome

FAP Familial Adenomatous Polyposis

FB Foreign Body

FBC Full Blood Count

FBE Full Blood Exam

FBG Fasting Blood Glucose

FBS Fasting Blood Sugar

FDA Food and Drug Administration

FDC Follicular Dendritic Cells

FDIU Fetal Demise in Utero

FDP Fibrin Degradation Product

Fe Iron fem Female

FEV Forced Expiratory Volume

FFA Free Fatty Acids

FFP Fresh Frozen Plasma

FHR Fetal Heart Rate

FHS Fetal Heart Sound

FHT Fetal Heart Tones

FHx Family History Flu Influenza

FMF Fetal Movements Felt

FMP First Menstruation Period (Menarche)

fMRI Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

FNA Fine Needle Aspiration

FNAB Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy

FNAC Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology

FNC Full Nursing Care

FNH Focal Nodular Hyperplasia

FOBT Fecal Occult Blood Test

FOS Full of Stool

FPG Fasting Plasma Glucose

FRC Functional Residual Capacity

FROM Full Range of Motion

FSBS Finger-stick Blood Sugar

FSE Fetal Scalp Electrode

FSH Follicle-stimulating Hormone

FTA Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody

FTA-ABS Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorption

FTT Failure to thrive

FU Follow-up

FUO Fever of Unknown Origin

FVC Forced Vital Capacity

FWB Full Weight Bearing

Fx, # Fracture

F/C Fevers and/or Chills

G Gravidity

G6PD Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase

GA General Anesthesia

GABA Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid

GAD Generalized Anxiety Disorder

GB Gallbladder

GBM Glomerular Basement Membrane

GC Gonorrhea or Gonococcus

GCA Giant Cell Arteritis

GCS Glasgow Coma Scale

GDA Gastroduodenal Artery

GDLH Glutamate Dehydrogenase

GDP Guanosine Diphosphate

GERD Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

GETT General by Endotracheal Tube

GFR Glomerular Filtration Rate

GGT Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase

GH Growth Hormone

GHFR Growth Hormone Releasing factor

GI Glycemic Index

GI Gastrointestinal

GIFT Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer

GIST Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor

GIT Gastrointestinal Tract

GITS Gastrointestinal Therapeutic System

GMC General Medical Condition

GMP Guanosine Monophosphate

GM-CSF Granulocyte-Monocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor

GN Glomerulonephritis (Nephritis)

GnRH Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone

GOAT Galveston Orientation and Amnesia Test

GOD Glucose Oxidase Gomer Get Outta My ER

GORD Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

GOT Glutamic-oxalacetic Transaminase

GPT Glutamic-pyruvic transaminase gr Grain

GRAV I First Pregnancy

GSW Gun Shot Wound

GTT Glucose Tolerance Test

GU Gastric Ulcer

GU Genitourinary

GVHD Graft-versus-host disease

Gym Gymnasium

Gyn Gynecology

GXT Graded Exercise Tolerance (stress test)

HA, H/A Headache

HA Hypertonia Arterialis

HAA Hepatitis Associated Antigen

HAART Highly Active Anti-aetroviral Therapy

HACE High Altitude Cerebral Edema

HAD HIV-associated dementia

HAE Hereditary Angioedema

HAPE High Altitude Pulmonary Edema

HAV Hepatitis A Virus

Hb Hemoglobin

HB Heart Block

HbA Hemoglobin A

HbA1C Glycosylated hemoglobin

HbF Fetal Hemoglobin

HBP High Blood Pressure

HBsAg Hepatitis B Surface Antigen

HBV Hepatitis B Virus

HCC Hepatocellular Carcinoma

hCG Human Chorionic Gonadotropin

HCL Hairy Cell Leukemia

Hct Hematocrit

HCT Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

HCTZ Hydrochlorothiazide

HCV Hepatitis C Virus

HD Hodgkin's Disease

HDL High-density lipoprotein

HDL-C High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol

HDU High Dependency Unit

HDV Hepatitis D virus

HEENT Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat

HELP, HELLP Hypertension, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low Platelets

HEMA Hydroxy Ethyl Methacrylate Hema Hematest

HES Hydroxyethyl Starch

HETE Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acid

HEV Hepatitis E Virus

Hgb Hemoglobin

HGH Human Growth Hormone

HGPRTase Hypoxanthine-guanine Phosphoribosyl Transferase

HGV Hepatitis G Virus

HH Hiatus Hernia

HHT Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectisia

HHV Human Herpes Virus

HI Homicidal Ideation Hib Haemophilus Influenzae B

HIDS Hyper-IgD Syndrome

HIT Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia

HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus

HJR Hepatojugular Reflex

HL Hepatic Lipase

HL Hodgkin's Lymphoma

HL Hearing Level

HLA Human Leukocyte Antigen

HLA Histocompatibility Locus Antigen

HLHS Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

HMD Hyaline Membrane Disease

HMGR 3-hydroxy-30methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase

HMG-CoA 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA

HMS Hyper-reactive Malarial Splenomegaly

HMSN Hereditary Motor Sensory Neuropathy

HN Hemagglutinin-neuraminidase

HND Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn

HNPCC Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer

HOB Head of Bed

HOCM Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy

HONK Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Coma

HPA Hypothalamic-Pituiatary-Adrenal Axis

HPETE Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acid

HPF High Power Field (Microscopy)

HPI History of Present Illness

HPOA Hypertrophic Pulmonary Osteoarthropathy

HPL Human Placental Lactogen

HPV Human Papillomavirus

HR Heart Rate

HRT Hormone Replacement Therapy

hs Hours of Sleep

HSC Human Chorionic Somatomammotropin

HSG Hysterosalpingogram

HSM Hepatosplenomegaly

HSP Henoch-Schonlein Purpura

HSV Herpes Simplex Virus

HT, HTN Hypertension

Ht Height

HTLV Human T-lymphotropic Virus

HTPA Hypothalamic-pitutary-adrenal axis

HTVD Hypertensive Vascular Disease

HUS Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

HVLT High-velocity Lead Therapy

Hx History (medical) h/o History of

H/H Henderson-Hasselbach Equation

H & E Hematoxylin and Eosin

H & H Hemoglobin and Hematocrit

h.s. At Bedtime

H-S Heel-to-shin test

H&M Hematemesis and Melena

H&P History and Physical Examination

I131 Radioactive Iodine

IA Intra-arterial

IABP Intra-aortic Balloon Pump

IAI Intra-amniotic Infection

IBC Inflammatory Breast Cancer

IBD Inflammatory Bowel Disease

IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome

IC Informed Consent

IC Intensive Care

IC Ileocecal

IC Immunocompromised

IC Interstitial Cystitis

IC Immune Complex

IC Intracardiac

ICCU Intensive Cardiac Care Unit

ICD Implantable Cardioverter-defibrillator

ICDS Integrated Child Development Services Program

ICD-10 International Classification of Diseases - 10th revision

ICF Intracellular Fluid

ICG Impedance Cardiography

ICH Intracerebral Hemorrhage

ICP Intracranial Pressure

ICS Intercostal Space

ICU Intensive Care Unit

ID Infectious Disease or Identifying Data or Identification

IDA Iron Deficiency Anemia

IDC Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy

IDC Indwelling Catheter

IDC Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma

IDDM Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

IDL Intermediate Density Lipoprotein

IDP Infectious Disease Precautions/Process

IF Immunofluorescence

IFG Impaired Fasting Glycaemia

Ig Immunoglobulin

IgA Immunoglobulin A

IgD Immunoglobulin D

IgE Immunoglobulin E

IgG Immunoglobulin G

IgM Immunoglobulin M

IGT Impaired Glucose Tolerance

IHC Immunohistochemistry

IHD Ischemic Heart Disease

IHSS Idiopathic hypertrophic Subaortic Stenosis

IM Intramuscular

IMA Inferior Mesenteric Artery

IMB InterMenstrual Bleed

IMI Intramuscular Injection

IMN Infectious Mononucleosis

IMS Irritable Male Syndrome

IMT Intima-media Thickness

IMV Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation

Inc Incomplete

Inf Injection

INF Intravenous Nutritional Fluid

INH Isoniazid

IO Intraosseous Infusion

IOL Induction Of Labor

IOP Intraocular Pressure

IP Interphalangeal Joint

IPPB Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing

IPPV Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilation

IPS Intra-Peritoneal Sounds

IQ Intelligence Quotient

IRDM Insulin Resistant Diabetes Mellitus

ISA Intrinsic Sympathomimetic Activity

ISDN Isosorbide dinitrate

ISH Isolated Systolic Hypertension

ISMN Isosorbide Mononitrate

IT Interthecal

ITP Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

ITU Intensive Treatment/Therapy Unit

IU International Units

IUCD Intrauterine Contraceptive Device

IUD Intrauterine Death

IUD Intrauterine Device

IUFD Intrauterine Fetal Demise

IUI Intrauterine Insemination

IUP Intrauterine Pregnancy

IUS Intrauterine System

IV Intravenous

IVC Intravenous Cholangiogram

IVC Inferior Vena Cava

IVDU Intravenous Drug User

IVF In vitro fertilization

IVF Intravenous Fluids

IVP Intravenous Pyelogram

IVPB Intravenous Piggyback

IVU Intravenous Urogram

IVUS Intravascular Ultrasound

IV-DSA Intravenous Digital Subtraction Angiography

I&D Incision and Drainage

I&O Inputs and Outputs, Intake and Outputs

i.s.q. No change

JIA Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

JMS Junior Medical Student

JODM Juvenile-Onset Diabetes Mellitus

JRA Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

JVD Jugular Vein Distension

JVP Jugular Venous Pressure

K Potassium

KA Ketoacidosis

KBr Potassium Bromide

Kcal Kilocalorie

KCCT Kaolin Cephalin Clotting Time

kg Kilogram

KIV Keep in View

KLS Kidney, Liver, Spleen

KOR Keep Open Rate

KS Kaposi's Sarcoma

KSHV Kaposi's sarcoma-associated Herpes virus

KUB Kidneys, Ureters and Bladder

KVO Keep Vein Open

L Leukocytes (White Blood Cells)

L Lumbar vertebrae

LA Left Atrium, Lymphadenopathy

Lab Laboratory

LABBB Left Anterior Bundle Branch Block

LAD Left Anterior Descending-Coronary Artery

LAD Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency

LAD Left Axis Deviation-Electrocardiogram

LAD Lymphadenopathy

LAE Left Atrial Enlargement

LAHB Left Anterior Hemiblock

Lam Laminectomy

LAP Leukocyte Alkaline Phosphatase

Lap Laparotomy

LAR Low Anterior Resection

LARP Left-Anterior, Right-Posterior

LAS Lymphadenopathy Syndrome

LASIK Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis

Lat Lateral

lb, LB Pound

LBBB Left Bundle Branch Block

LBO Large Bowel Obstruction

LBP Low Back Pain

LCA Left Coronary Artery

LCIS Lobular Carcinoma in situ

LCM Lymphocytic Meningitis

LCX Left Circumflex Artery

Lc of ch Laxative of choice

LDH Lactate Dehydrogenase

LDL Low Density Lipoprotein

LDL-C Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol

LE Lupus Erythematosus

LE Lower Extremity

LEC Lupus Erythematosus Cell

LES Lower Esophageal Sphincter

LES Lupus Erythematosus Systemicus

leu Leukocytes

LFT Liver Function Test

LGL Lown-Ganong-Levine Syndrome

LGM Lymphogranulomatosis Maligna

LGV Lymphogranuloma Venereum

LH Luteinizing Hormone

Lig Ligament

LIH Left Inguinal Hernia

LLE Left Lower Extremity

LLL Left Lower Lobe

LLQ Left Lower Quadrant

LM Left Main

LMA Left Mentoanterior-Fetal Position

LMCA Left Main Coronary Artery

LMD Local Medical Doctor

LMP Last Menstrual Period

LN Lymph Node

LOA Left Occipitoanterior

LOC Level of Consciousness

LOP Left Occipitoposterior

LORTA Loss of Resistance To Air

LOS Length of Stay

Lot Lotion

Lp Lipoprotein

LP Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap)

LPH Left Posterior Hemiblock

LPL Lipoprotein Lipase

LPN Licensed Practical Nurse

LR Lactated Ringer's Solution

LRTI Lower Respiratory Tract Infection

LTAC Long-term Acute Care

LSB Left Sternal Border

LSD Lysergic Acid Diethylamide

LUL Left Upper Lobe-Lung

LUQ Left Upper Quadrant

LV Left Ventricle

LVAD Left Ventricular Assist Device

LVEDP Left Ventricular End Diastolic Pressure

LVEF Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

LVF Left Ventricular Failure

LVH Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

LVOT Left Ventricular Outflow Track

Ly Lymphocytes lytes Electrolytes

L&D Labor and Delivery (Childbirth)

L-DOPA Levo-Dihydroxyphenylalanine

M Murmur (heart murmur)

MAE Moves All Extremities

MAL Midaxillary Line

MAO-I Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor

MAP Mean Arterial Pressure

MAS Morgagni-Adams-Stokes Syndrome

MAST Medical Antishock Trousres

MARSA Methicillin and Aminoglycoside-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

MAT Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia

MBT Maternal Blood Type

MC Metacarpal Bone

MCH Mean Cell Hemoglobin

MCH Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin

MCHC Mean Cell Hemoglobin Concentration

MCP Metacarpophalangeal Joint

MCV Mean Cell Volume

MC&S Microscopy, Culture and Sensitivity

MDD Major Depressive Disorder (Clinical Depression)

MDE Major Depressive Episode MDI Metered Dose Inhaler

MDS Myelodysplastic Syndrome

MEDLINE Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online

MEN Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia mEq milliequivalent

MeSH Medical Subject Headings met Metastasis

MET Metabolic Equivalent mg milligram

Mg Magnesium

MgSO4 Magnesium Sulfate

MGUS Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance

MI Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)

MIC Minimum Inhibitory Concentration

MICA Mental Illness and Chemical Abuse

MICU Mobile Intensive Care Unit

MIP Maximum Inspiratory Pressure

mL milliliter

MLC Mixed Lymphocyte Culture

MLE Midline Episiotomy

MM Myeloid Metaplasia

MMEF Maximal Mid Expiratory Flow

mmol millimole

MMPI Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory

MMR Measles, Mumps, Rubella

Mo Monocytes

mod Moderate

mod Modified

MODY Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young

MOM Milk of Magnesia

Mono Infectious Mononucleosis (Glandular Fever)

MOPP Mechlorethamine, Vincristine, Procarbazine and Prednisone

MPD Myeloproliferative Disease

MPV Mean Platelet Volume

MR Mitral Regurgitation

MR Modified Release

MR Mental Retardation

MRA Magnetic Resonance Angiography

MRCP Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography

MRG Murmurs, Rubs and Gallops

MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging

MRSA Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus

MS Multiple Sclerosis

MS Mitral Stenosis

MS Mental Status

MSE Mental Status Examination

MSH Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone

MSM Methylsulfonylmethane

MSSA Methicillin-sensitive Staph aureus

MSO4 Morphine or Morphine Sulfate

MSU Midstream Urine Sample

MSUD Maple Syrup Urine Disease

MT Metatarsal Bone

MTBI Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

MTP Metatarsalphalangeal Joint

MTX Methotrexate

MVA Motor Vehicle Accident

MVC Motor Vehicle Crash

MVI Multivitamin Injection

MVP Mitral Valve Prolapse

MVPS Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome

MVR Mitral Valve Replacement

MVV Maximum Voluntary Ventilation

M&M Morbidity & Mortality Na Sodium

NABS Normoactive Bowel Sounds

NAD No Abnormality Detected

NAD No Apparent Distress

NAS No Added Salt

NB Newborn

NBN Newborn Nursery

NC Nasal Cannula

NC Nerve Action Potential

NCC Noncompaction Cardiomyopathy

NCS Nerve Conduction Study

NCT Nerve Conduction Test

NCV Nerve Conduction Velocity

ND Not Done

Ne Neutrophil Granulocytes

NE Norepinephrine

NEC Not Elsewhere Classified

NED No Evidence of Recurrent Disease

Neg Negative Neo Neoplasm

NES Not Elsewhere Specified

NFR Not for Resuscitation ng Nanogram

NG Nasogastric

NGT Nasogastric Tube

NGU Non-Gonococcal Urethritis

NHL Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

NICU Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

NIDDM Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2 Diabetes)

NK Natural Killer Cells

NKA No Known Allergies

NKDA No Known Drug Allergies

NI Normal NLP

No Light Perception

NLP Neuro-Linguistic Programming

NM Nuclear Medicine

NMR Nuclear Magnetic Resoance

NNH Number Needed to Harm

NNT Number Needed to Treat

NO Nitric Oxide

No. Number

NOF Neck of Femur Fracture

Non rep. Do not repeat

NOS Nitric Oxide Synthase

NOS Not Otherwise Specified

NPH Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Npl Neoplasm

NPO Nil per os

NPTAC No Previous Tracing Available For Comparison

NRB Non-Rebreather Mask

NREM Non-Rapid Eye Movement

NRM No Regular Medications

NS Normal Saline

NSA No Significant Abnormality

NSAID Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug

NSCC Non-squamous-cell carcinoma

NSD Normal Spontaneous Delivery (Natural Childbirth)

NSE Neurospecific Enolase

NSR Normal Sinus Rhythm

NST Non-Stress Test

NSTEMI Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction

NSU Non-Specific Urethritis

NT Not Tested

NT Nasotracheal

NTG Nitroglycerin

NTT Nasotracheal Tube

NVD Normal Vaginal Delivery

NVD Nausea, Vomiting and Diarrhea

NVDC Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea and Constipation n.s. Not Significant

N&V Nausea and Vomiting

O2 Oxygen

OA Osteoarthritis

Obl Oblique

OBS Organic Brain Syndrome

OB-GYN Obstetrics and Gynecology

Occ Occasional

OCD Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

OCG Oral Cholecystogram

OCNA Old Chart Not Available

OCP Oral Contraceptive Pill

OCPD Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder

OCT Optical Coherence Tomography od Everyday

OD Right Eye (Latin: Oculus Dexter)

OD Occupational Disease

OD Overdose

OE Otitis Externa (Ear Infection)

OGTT Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

Oint Ointment om Every Morning

OM Otitis Media (Ear Infection)

OME Otitis Media with Effusion on Every Night

OOB Out of bed

OPD Outpatient Department

OPPT Oriented to Person, Place and Time

OPV Outpatient Visit

OPV Oral Polio Vaccine

OR Operating Room

ORIF Open Reduction Internal Fixation

ORSA Oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

OS Orthopedic Surgery

OS Left Eye (Ltin-Oculus Sinister)

OSA Obstructive Sleep Apnea

OSH Outside Hospital

OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Osm Osmolarity Osteo Osteomyelitis

OT Occupational Therapy

OTC Over-the-counter Drug

OTD Out the Door

OTPP Oriented to Time Place and Person

OU Both eyes (Latin: Oculi Uterque)

oz Ounce

O/E On examination

O&P Ova and Parasites

P Phosphorus

P Post

P Pulse

PA Pulmonary Artery

PA Posteroanterior

PA Physician Assistant

PAC Premature Atrial Contraction

PAC Pulmonary Artery Catheter

PAD Peripheral Artery Disease

PAF Platelet Activating Factor

PAF Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

PAI-1 Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1

PAL Posterior Axillary Line

PALS Pediatric Advanced Life Support

PAN Polyarthritis Nodosa

PAO Peak Acid Output

PaO2 Peropheral Arterial Oxygen Content

PAO2 Alveolar Oxygen

PAOD Peripheral Artery Occlusive Disease

Pap Papanicolaou Test (Pap Smear)

PAP Positive Airway Pressure

PAP Papanicolaou Stain

PAP Pulmonary Artery Pressure

PARA I Indicating a woman with one child

PAT Paroxysmal Atrial Trachycardia

PCa Prostate Cancer

PCA Patient Care Report

PCA Patient-controlled Analgesia

PCD Postconcussional Disorder

PCI Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

PCL Posterior Cruciate Ligament

PCN Penicillin

PCNSL Primary CNS Lymphoma

PCO Polycystic Ovary

PCOS Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

PCP Pneumocystis Pneumonia

PCP Primary Care Physician

PCR Polymerase Chain Reaction

PCS Post-concussion Syndrome

PCV Packed Cell Volume

PCV Polycythemia vera

PCWP Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure

PD Parkinson's Disease PD Peritoneal Disease

PDA Patent Ductus Arteriosus

PDD Pervasive Developmental Disorder

PDE Phosphodiesterase

PDR Physician's Drug Reference

PDT Photodynamic Therapy

PE Pre-eclampsia

PE Pulmonary Embolism

PE Physical Examination

PEA Pulseless Electrical Activity

PEEP Positive End Expiratory Pressure

PEF Peak Expiratory Flow

PEFR Peak Expiratory Flow Rate

PEG Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy

pen Penicillin

PERRL Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light

PERLA Pupils Equal and Reactive to Light and Accommodation

Per Vag Per Vaginam

PET Positron-emission Tomography

PFO Patent Foramen Ovale

PFT Pulmonary Function Test

pg Picogram

PGCS Pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale

pH Hydrogen Ion Concentration

Ph1 Philadelphia Chromosome

PH Pulmonary Hypertension

PHx Past History (medical)

PHTLS Prehospital Trauma Life Support

PI Present Illness

PI Pulmonic Insufficiency Disease

PICC Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter

PID Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

PID Prolapsed Intervertibral Disc

PIH Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

PIP Proximal Interphalangeal Joint

PK Pyruvate Kinase PKA Protein Kinase A

PKD Polycystic Kidney Disease

PKU Phenylketonuria

PLAT Tissue Plasminogen Activator

PLT Platelets

PMB Post-Menopausal Bleeding

PMH Past Medical History

PMH Perimesencephalic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

PMI Point of Maximal Impulse

PMN Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes

PMS Premenstrual Syndrome

PMR Polymyalgia Rheumatica

PMR Percutaneous Myocardial Revascularisation

PM&R Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

PND Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea

PNM Perinatal Mortality

POD Postoperative Days

POEMS Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, Monoclonal Protein, Skin Changes poly Polymorphonuclear Cells Post Posterior

POX Peroxidase

PP Post-partum

PP Postprandial or Pulsus Paradoxus or Pulse Pressure

PPCS Prolonged Post-Concussion Syndrome

PPD (Cigarette) Packs Per Day

PPD Postpartum Depression

PPD Purified Protein Derivative or Mantoux Test

PPH Postpartum Hemorrhage

PPH Primary Pulmonary Hypertension

PPH Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids

PPI Proton Pump Inhibitor

PPROM Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes

Ppt Precipitate

PPTCT (HIV) Prevention of Parent To Child Transmission

PPTL Post-Partum Tubal Ligation

PR Prothrombin Ratio

PRA Plasma Renin Activity

PRBC Packed Red Blood Cells Preme Premature Baby Prep Preparation

PRIND Prolonged Reversible Ischemic Neurologic Deficit

PRL Prolactin

PRN As Necessary Prog Prognosis

PROM Premature Rupture of Membranes

PRP PanRetinal Photocoagulation

PRV Polycythemia rubra vera

PS Pulmonic Stenosis

PSA Prostate Specific Antigen

PSH Pscychosocial History

PSP Phenylsulphtalein

PSS Progressive Systemic Sclerosis

PSV Pressure Supported Ventilation

Pt Patient

PT Physical Therapy

PT Prothrombin Time

PTA Peritonsillar Abscess

PTA Post-traumatic Amnesia

PTA Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty

PTA Prior to admission

PTB Pulmonary Tuberculosis

PTC Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography

PTCA Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty

PTD Prior to Discharge

PTH Parathyroid Hormone

PTHC Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography

PTSD Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

PTSS Posttraumatic Stress Syndrome

PTT Partial Thromboplastin Time

PTU Propylthioluracil

PTx Pneumothorax

PUD Peptic Ulcer Disease

PUO Pyrexia of Unknown Origin

PUVA Psoralen UV A

PVC Premature Ventricular Contraction

PVD Peripheral Vascular Disease

PVFS Post-viral Fatigue Syndrome

PVR Pulmonary Vascular Resistance

PVS Pulmonary Valve Stenosis

PVS Persistent Vegetative State

PWP Pulmonary Wedge Pressure

Px Physical Examination

Px Prognosis

p.c. After Food (Latin: Post Cibum)

p.o. By Mouth

p.r. Per rectum

p.v. Per Vagina

P&A Percussion and Auscultation

P&PD Percussion and Postural Drainage

P-Y Pack-years q Each, every (Latin: Quaque)

q4h, q6h Every 4 hours, every 6 hours

QALY Quality-adjusted Life Years

QNS Quantity Not Sufficient

QOF Quality and Outcomes Framework

Qs/Qt Shunt Fraction qt Quart Qt Total Cardiac Output

q.a.d. Every Other Day (Latin: Quaque Altera Die)

q.AM Every morning

q.d. Each Day

q.d.s. Four Times Each Day

q.h. Each Hour

q.h.s. Every bedtime

q.i.d. Four Times Each Day

q.I. As much as you like

q.m.t. Every Month

q.n. Every Night

q.o.d. Every Other Day

q.o.h. Every other hour

q.s. AS much as suffices

q.w.k. Weekly

RA Rheumatoid Arthritis

RA Refractory Anemia

RA Right Atrium

rad Radian

RAD Right Axis Deviation

RAD Reflex Anal Dilatation

RAD Reactive Attachment Disorder

Rad hys Radical Hysterectomy

RAE Right Atrial Enlargement

RAI Radioactive Iodine

RAP Right Atrial Pressure

RAPD Relative Afferent Pupilary Defect

RBBB Right Bundle Branch Block

RBC Red Blood Cells

RBC Red Blood Count

RBP Retino-binding Protein

RCA Right Coronary Artery

RCM Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

RCM Right Costal Margin

RCT Randomized Controlled Trial

RD Retinal Detachment

RDA Recommended Daily Allowance

RDS Respiratory Distress Syndrome

RDW Red Cell Distribution Width

RELP Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism

REM Rapid Eye Movement

RES Reticuloendothelial System

RF Rheumatic Fever

RF Rheumatoid Factor

RFLP Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism

RFT Renal Function Test

Rh Rhesus factor

RHD Rheumatoid Heart Disease

RhF Rheumatoid Factor

RIA Radioimmunoassay

RIBA Radioimmunoblotting Assay

RICE Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation

RIH Right Inguinal Hernia

RIMA Reversible Inhibitor of Monoamine Oxidase A

RIND Reversible Ischemic Neurologic Deficit

RL Ringer's Lactate

RLE Right Lower Extremity

RLL Right Lower Lobe-lung

RLN Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve

RLN Regional Lymph Node

RLQ Right Lower Quadrant

RLS Restless Legs Syndrome

RML Right Middle Lobe-lung

RNA Ribonucleioc Acid

RNV Radionuclear Ventriculography

ROA Right Occipital Anterior

ROM Range of Motion

ROP Right Occipital Posterior

ROS Review of Systems

ROSC Return of Spontaneous Circulation

RPG Retrograde Pyelogram

RPR Rapid Plasma Reagin Test

RQ Respiratory Quotient

RR Respiratory Rate

RRR Regular Rate and Rhythm

RSI Rapid Sequence Induction

RSV Respiratory Syncytial Virus

RT Respiratory Therapy

RTA Renal Tubal Acidosis

RTC Return to Clinic

RTS Revised Trauma Source

RU Resin Uptake

RUE Right Upper Extremity

RUL Right Upper Lobe - lung

RUG Retrograde Urethogram

RUQ Right Upper Quadrant

RV Right Ventricle

RV Residual Volume

RVAD Right Ventricular Assist Device

RVF Right Ventricular Failure

RVH Right Ventricular Hypertrophy

RVSP Right Ventricular Systolic Pressure

RVT Renal Vein Thrombosis

Rx Prescription Drug or medical treatment

r/g/m rubs/gallops/murmurs

R/O Rule Out

S Sacrum

S1 First Heart Sound

S2 Second Heart Sound

SA Sinoatrial Node

SAA Syntheric Amino Acid

SAB Staphylococcal Bacteremia

SAB Spontaneous Abortion (Miscarriage)

SAH Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

SAN Sinoatrial Node

SaO2 Oxygen Saturation of Artial Blood

SAPS II Simplified Acute Physiology Score

SAPS III Simplified Acute Physiology Score

SARS Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

Sat Saturation

SB Small Bowel

SBE Subacute Bacterial Endocarditis

SBFT Small Bowel Follow Through

SBO Small Bowel Obstruction

SBP Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis

SBP Systolic Blood Pressure

SBS Short Bowel Syndrome

SCC Squamous Cell Carcinoma

SCID Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Scope Microscope or Endoscope

SCr Serum Creatinine

SD Standard Deviation

SDH Subdermal Hematoma

Sed Sedimentation Segs Segmented Cells

SEM Systolic Ejection Murmur

SFA Serum Folic Acid

SFA Superficial Femoral Artery

SGA Small for Gestational Age

SGGT Serum Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase

SGOT Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase

SGPT Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase

SG cath Swan-Ganz Catheter

SHBG Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin

SHx Social history

SHx Surgical History

SI Suicidal Ideation

SI Seriously Ill

SI International System of Units

SI Sacroiliacal (SI Joint)

SIADH Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone

SICU Surgical Intensive Care Unit

SIDS Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

sig Write on label

SIMV Synchronized Intermittent Mechanical Ventilation

SIT Stress Inoculation Training

SK Streptokinase

sl Sublingual

SLE Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

SLR Straight Leg Raise

SM Multiple Sclerosis

SMA Superior Mesenteric Artery

SMA Sequential Multiple Analysis

SMA Spinal Muscular Atrophy

SMA-6 Six-channel Serum Multiple Analysis

SMA-7 Serum Metabolic Assay

SMO Slips made out

SMS Senior Medical Student

SMT Spinal Manipulative Therapy

SMV Superior Mesenteric Vein

SN Student Nurse

SNB Sentinel Node Biopsy

SNP Sodium Nitroprusside

SNRI Serotonin-norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor

SOAP Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan

SOB Shortness of Breath (Dyspnea)

SOBOE Short of Breath On Exercise

Sol Solution

SOL Space Occupying Lesion

SOOB Send Out of bed

SOS Save Our Souls

SP Status Post

Spec Specimen

SPECT Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography

SPEP Single Protein Electrophoresis

SPET Single Photon Emission Tomography

Sp. Fl. Spinal Fluid

Sp. Gr. Specific Gravity

Sq Subcutaneous

SR Slow Release

SROM Spontaneous Rupture of Membranes

SS Sickle-cell disease (anemia)

SSRI Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor

SSS Sick Sinus Syndrome

SSSS Staphylococcal Sclaed Skin Syndrome Staph Staphylococcus

STD Sexually Transmitted Disease

STAT Immediately

STEMI ST Elevation MI (Myocardial Infarction)

STH Somatotropic Hormone

STI Soft Tissue Injury

STI Sexually Transmitted Infection

STNR Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex

STOP Surgical Termination of Pregnancy Strep Streptococcus

STS Serological Test for Syphilis

Subq Subcutaneous

Supp Suppository

SV Seminal Vesicle

SV Stroke Volume

SVD Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery

SVI Systemic Viral Infection

SVN Small Volume Nebulizer

SVR Systemic Vascular Resistance

SVT Supraventricular Tachycardia

Sx Symptoms

Sx Surgery

SXA Single Energy X-ray Absorptiometer

SXR Skull X-ray

Sz Seizure

s.c. Subcutaneous

s.d. Subdermal

S&E Sugar and Acetone

T Thoracic Vertebrae

Tab Tablet

TAB Therapeutic Abortion

TAH Total Abdominal Hysterectomy

TB, TBC Tuberculosis

TBC Total Body Crunch

TBG Total Binding Globulin

TBI Total Body Irradiation

TBI Traumatic Brain Injury

TBLC Term Birth Living Child

TC Traffic Crash

TCC Transitional Cell Carcinoma

TCN Tetracycline

TCT Thrombin Clotting Time

Td Tetanus and Diphtheria

TdP Torsades de pointes

TEB Thoracic Electrical Bioimpedance

TEE Transesophageal Echocardiogram

TEM Transmission Electron Microscopy

Temp Temperature

TENS Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator

TERN Intern

TF, T/F Transfer

TFTs Thyroid Function Tests

Tg Thyroglobulin

TG Triglycerides

TGA Transposition of the Great Arteries

THR Total Hip Replacement

TIA Transient Ischemic Attack

TIBC Total Iron Binding Capacity

Tib-Fib Tibia and Fibula

TIG Tetanus Immune Globulin

TIPS Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt

TKR Total Knee Replacement

TKVO To Keep Vein Open

TLC Total Lung Capacity

TLC Total Leucocyte Count

TLC Tender Loving Care

TLR Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex

TM Tympanic Membrane

TM Transcendental Meditation

TMB Too Many Birthdays

TME Total Mesorectal Excision

TNF Tumor Necrosis Factors

TMJ Temporomandibular Joint

TNG Trinitroglycerin

TNM Tumor-Nodes-Metastases

TNTC Too numerous to count

TO Telephone Order

TOA Tuboovarian Abscess

TOD Transoesophageal Doppler

TOE Transoesophageal Echocardiogram

TOP Termination Of Pregnancy (Abortion)

TOPV Trivalent Oral Polio Vaccine

TP Totyal Protein

TPa Tissue Plasminogen Activator

TPN Total Parenteral Nutrition

TPR Temperature, Pulse, Respiration

Tr Tincture

TR Tricuspid Regurgitation

TRAM Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flap

TRF Transfer

TRF'd Transferred

TRH Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone

TS Tricuspid Stenosis

TSH Thyroid Stimulating Hormone

Tsp Teaspoon

TT Thrombin Time

TTE Transthoracic Echocardiogram

TTO To Take Out

TTP Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

TTR Transthyretin

TTS Transdermal Therapeutic System

TTTS Twin To Twin Transfusion Syndrome

Tu Tumor

TUR Transurethral Resection

TURBT Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor

TURP Transurethral Resection of Prostate

TV Tridal Volume

TVH Total Vagina Hysterectomy

tw Twice a week

Tx Treatment

Tx Transplatation (Organ Transplant)

Tx Traction

t.d.s. Three Times a day

t.i.d. Three times a day

T.S.T.H. Too sick to send home

T&A Tonsillectomy with Adenoidectomy

T&C Type and cross-match (Blood Transfusion)

T&H Type and Hold UA Urinanalysis

UAC Uric Acid

UAC Umbilical Artery Catheter

UAO Upper Airway Obstruction

UBD Universal Blood Donor

UBT Urea Breath Test

UC Umbilical Cord

UC Ulcerative Colitis

UCHD Usual Childhood Disease

UD As directed

UDS Urine Drug Screening

UE Upper Extremity

UFH Unfractionated Heparin

UGI Upper Gastrointesinal

Ung Ointment Unk Unknown

UOP Urinary Output

UPJ Ureteropelvic Junction

URI Upper Respiratory Infection

URQ Upper Respiratory Quadrant

URTI Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

US Ultrasonogram

US Ultrasound

USG Ultrasonography (Prenatal Ultrasound Imaging)

USP United States Pharmacopeia

USR Unheated Serum Reagin

USS Ultrasound Scan

UTI Urinary Tract Infection

UUN Urinary Urea Nitrogen

UVAL Ultraviolet Argon Laser

U&E Urea and Electrolytes

VA Visual Acuity

VAD Ventricular Assist Device

VAD Venous Access Device

VAD Vincristine Adriblastine Dexamethasone

Vag Vaginal

VAMP Vincristine Adriblastine Methylprednisone

VBAC Vaginal Birth After Cesarean

VC Vital Capacity

vCJD Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

VCT Venous Clotting Time

VCTC Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centers

VCUG Voiding Cysourethrogram

VD Vaginal Delivery

VD Volume of Distribution

VD Venereal Disease

VDRF Ventilator Dependent Respiratory Failure

VDRL Venereal Diseases Research Laboratory

VE Vaginal Examination

VEB Ventricular Ectopic Beat

VF or V-fib Ventricular Fibrillation

VIP Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide

VLDL Very Low Density Lipoprotein

VMA Vanillylmandelic Acid

VMA Violent Mechanical Asphyxia

VNPI VanNuys Prognostic Scoring Index (Ductal Carcinoma)

VO Verbal Order

VOD Volume of Distribution

VPA Valproic Acid

VPAP Variable Positive Airway Pressure

VPB Ventricular Premature Beats

VPC Ventricular Premature Contraction

VRE Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus

VRSA Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

VS Vital Signs VSD Ventricular Septal Defect

VSR Ventricular Septal Rupture

VSS Vital Signs Stable

 VT Ventricular tachycardia

VTE Venous THromboembolism

VV Varicose Veins

VW Vessel Wall

VWD Von Willebrand's Disease

VZV Varicella Zoster Virus

V/Q Ventilation/perfusion Scan

WAP Wandering Atrial Pacemaker

WAT white adipose tissue

WB Whole Blood

WBC White Blood Cell, White Blood Cell Count

WBR whole body radiation

WC white cells

WD well-developed

WDL within defined limits

WDWN well-developed and well-nourished

WF white female

WH Well Hydrated (no Dehydration nor Water Intoxication)

WIA wounded in action

WN well-nourished

WNL within normal limits

WO written order, weeks old, wide open.

WOP without pain

WPW Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

WS Waardenburg syndrome

WS water-soluble

WS Werner syndrome

WS West syndrome

WS Wolfram syndrome

WS Williams Syndrome wt Weight

WWI walking while intoxicated

W-T-D wet to dry

W/ With

w/o without

W/U Workup

W/C Wheelchair

X2d Times 2 days

XL Extended Release

XL Extra Large

XM Crossmatch

XMM Xeromammography

XOM Extraocular Movements

XR Extended Release

XR X-ray Radiography (Radiation Therapy)

XRT X-ray Threapy XS Excessive

XULN Times Upper Limit of Normal

YF Yellow Fever

YLC Youngest Living Child

YO/yo Years Old

YOB Year of Birth

ytd Year to Date

ZD Zinc Deficiency

ZDV Zidovudine

ZE Zollinger-Ellison

Zn Zinc

ZnO Zinc Oxide

ZIFT Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer

ZSB Zero Stools Since Birth

Z-ESR Zeta Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate