Medical Abbreviations and Symbols
There are many symbols specific to the field of medicine, physiotherapy, rehabilitation and health care. Many of the common symbols can be misinterpreted as they often represent different things. This can often be confusing to other doctors, physiotherapist's, health care professionals and students alike. This resource was created to review the most common symbols and their meanings. This list is not complete as is this meant as an open project which will be added to as and when. If any viewer would like to comment on the content please feel free to do so.
Also see:
(A, B & C)
Abbreviation
|
Definition
|
Acup
|
Acupunture
|
a/c jt or ACJ
|
Acromioclavicular joint
|
A.N.T
|
Adverse neural tension
|
AROM
|
Active range of movement
|
ASIS
|
Anterior superior iliac spine
|
Ant
|
Anterior
|
Agg or aggrav
|
Aggravating factors
|
A.S.
|
Ankylosing spondylitis
|
a/a
|
As above
|
ACL
|
Anterior cruciate ligament
|
A.J. *
|
Ankle jerk
|
A.J.*
|
Ankle joint
|
aa*
|
Atlanto-axial joint
|
aa*
|
Aortic Aneurysm
|
Abd
|
Abduction
|
Add
|
Adduction
|
ANS
|
Autonomic nervous system
|
Ach T
|
Achilles tendon
|
B/T, btw or btwn
|
Between
|
B4
|
Before
|
Bc
|
Because
|
B*
|
Better
|
B*
|
Bilateral
|
BP
|
Blood pressure
|
Bilat
|
Bilateral
|
c/o
|
Complains of
|
Ca
|
Cancer
|
c.f
|
Compared with
|
C/sp, Cxsp or Cx
|
Cervical spine
|
CMP
|
Chondromalacia patella
|
CTD
|
Carpal tunnel decompression
|
CTJ
|
Cervico-thoracic junction
|
CNA
|
Could not attend
|
Canx or canc
|
Cancelled
|
Const
|
constant
|
CHF
|
Congestive heart failure
|
Chol
|
Cholesterol
|
CV
|
Cardiovascular
|
CVA
|
Cardiovascular accident
|
C1-7
|
Labelled 1st to 7th cervical vertebrae
|
Circ*
|
Circumduction
|
Circ*
|
Circulation
|
Ceph
|
Cephalad
|
Caud
|
Caudad
|
Contra
|
Contralateral
|
CMC
|
Carpometacarpal
|
CUS
|
Continuous ultrasound
|
CTS
|
Carpal tunnel syndrome
|
(D, E & F)
Abbreviation
|
Definition
|
D/H, DH or DHx
|
Drug history
|
D/C
|
Discharge
|
Dr
|
Doctor
|
D/W
|
Discuss with
|
DNA
|
Did not attend
|
DNF
|
Deep neck flexors
|
DTF*
|
Deep transverse frictions
|
DFT*
|
Deep tissue frictions
|
DOB
|
Date of birth
|
DRAM
|
Diastasis of rectus abdominus
|
DF
|
Dorsiflexion
|
DL
|
Double leg
|
Dist
|
Distal
|
DTM
|
Deep tissue massage
|
DKB
|
Double knee bend
|
d/t
|
Due to
|
Exs or X’s
|
Exercises
|
Ext
|
Extension
|
ER
|
External rotation
|
Elev
|
Elevation
|
Ep
|
Epilepsy
|
Elb
|
Elbow
|
EOD
|
End of day
|
EOR
|
End of range
|
ERP or EoRP
|
End of range pain
|
Ev or ever
|
Eversion
|
EIL
|
Extension in lying
|
EIS
|
Extension in standing
|
ERSL
|
Extended rotated side flexion left
|
ERSR
|
Extended rotated side flexion right
|
Flex or Fl
|
Flexion
|
FF
|
Forward flexion
|
FROM*
|
Full range of motion
|
FROM*
|
Full range of movement
|
FFD
|
Fixed flexion deformity
|
FHP
|
Forward head posture
|
FNT
|
Femoral nerve test
|
FIL
|
Flexion in lying
|
FIS
|
Flexion in standing
|
FT
|
Fingertips
|
FRSL
|
Flexed rotated side flexed left
|
FRSR
|
Flexed rotated side flexed right
|
(G, H & I)
Abbreviation
|
Definition
|
G.H.
|
General health
|
GH Jt or GHJ
|
Gleno-humeral joint
|
GOOB
|
Getting out of bed
|
Gluts
|
Gluteus
|
Gmax
|
Gluteus maximus
|
Gmed or GM
|
Gluteus medius
|
Gmin
|
Gluteus minimus
|
GP
|
General practitioner
|
Gastroc
|
Gastrocnemius
|
HEP or HP
|
Home exercise programme
|
HPC, HoPC or HxPC
|
History of present complaint
|
HBB
|
Hand behind back
|
HBH
|
Hand behind head
|
H/o
|
History of
|
HOS
|
Hand opposite shoulder
|
HF
|
Horizontal flexion
|
HE
|
Horizontal extension
|
HFP
|
Head forward posture
|
Hypo
|
Hypomobility
|
Hyper
|
hypermobility
|
HU
|
Humero-ulnar
|
HJ
|
Hip joint
|
Hams, h/string or h/s
|
Hamstrings
|
IF
|
Interferential
|
IRQ
|
Inner range quadriceps
|
ILA
|
Inferior lateral angle
|
ITB
|
Ilio-tibial band
|
ISQ
|
In status quo or the same
|
Inf
|
Inferior
|
Inf TF
|
Inferior tibio-fibular joint
|
Infsp or i.s.
|
Infraspinatus
|
IL Lig
|
Iliolumbar ligament
|
Imp*
|
Impression of problem
|
Imp*
|
Improved
|
IR
|
Internal rotation
|
Ix or Invest
|
Investigations
|
IDDM
|
Diabetes (insulin dependent)
|
I/M*
|
Intermittent
|
I/M*
|
Intermuscular
|
Inv
|
Inversion
|
Ipsi
|
Ipsilateral
|
IC
|
Intercarpal
|
IP
|
Interphalangeal
|
(J, K & L)
Abbreviation
|
Definition
|
Jt or jnt
|
Joint
|
Kn
|
Knee
|
KJ
|
Knee jerk
|
KTW
|
Knee to wall
|
LL
|
Lower limb
|
L1-5
|
Labelled 1st to 5th lumbar vertebrae
|
L
|
Left
|
LLD
|
Leg length discrepancy
|
L.H.S.
|
Left hand side
|
LLTT
|
Lower limb tension test
|
LFT
|
Lower fibres of Trapezius
|
Ly
|
Lying
|
Lat rotn or LR
|
Lateral rotation
|
LBP
|
Lower back pain
|
LCL
|
Lateral collateral ligament
|
LF
|
Lateral flexion
|
Lx, LSp or Lx/sp
|
Lumbar spine
|
LSj or L/S
|
Lumbo-sacral junction
|
Lat epi
|
Lateral epicondyle
|
LG
|
Lateral glide
|
Lig
|
Ligament
|
LHOB
|
Long head of biceps
|
(M, N & O)
Abbreviation
|
Definition
|
Men
|
Meniscus
|
MAP
|
Myotatic activation procedure
|
Med rotn or MR
|
Medial rotation
|
MS
|
Multiple sclerosis
|
MSU
|
Mid stream urine
|
ME
|
Myalgic encephalitis
|
MET
|
Muscle energy techniques
|
M’s, m or mm
|
Muscle(s)
|
Mobs
|
Mobilizations
|
Manip
|
Manipulations
|
Mx
|
Management
|
MCP
|
Meta-carpo phalangeal
|
MCL
|
Medial collateral ligament
|
MF
|
Medium frequency
|
MFR
|
Myofascial release
|
MWM
|
Mobilisation with movement
|
MG
|
Medial glide
|
Mvmt, movt or mvt
|
Movement
|
NAD
|
Nothing abnormal detected
|
NOF
|
Neck of femur
|
NOH
|
Neck of humerus
|
NSAID’s
|
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
|
NIDDM
|
Non-insulin dependent diabetes
|
Nag
|
Natural apophyseal glide
|
NE
|
No effect
|
NB
|
No better
|
NW
|
No worse
|
NBI
|
No bony injury
|
Neuro
|
Neurological
|
NRLSR
|
Neutral rotation left side flexed right
|
NRRSL
|
Neutral rotation right side flexed left
|
N
|
Nerve
|
OA*
|
Osteoarthritis
|
OA*
|
Occipito-atlanto joint
|
O/E
|
Objective examination
|
OP
|
Overpressure
|
OT or op
|
Operation
|
Occ*
|
Occasionally
|
Occ*
|
Occiput
|
OC
|
Oral contraceptive
|
(P& Q)
Abbreviation
|
Definition
|
Palp
|
Palpation
|
P*
|
Pain
|
P*
|
Pressure
|
PAIVM
|
Passive accessory intervertebral movement
|
PPIVM
|
Passive physiological intervertebral movement
|
PWB
|
Partial weight bearing
|
PID*
|
Prolapsed intervertebral disc
|
PID*
|
Pelvic inflammatorydisease
|
PKB
|
Prone knee bend
|
PMH or PMHx
|
Past medical history
|
P/F jt or PFJ
|
Patella-femoral joints
|
PSIS
|
Posterior superior iliac spine
|
PT
|
Physiotherapist or physical therapist
|
Pt.
|
Patient
|
PNF*
|
Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation
|
PNF*
|
Passive neck flexion
|
PROM
|
Passive range of motion/movement
|
Pr.ly.
|
Prone lying
|
PF
|
Plantar flexion
|
Post
|
Posterior
|
Prox
|
Proximal
|
Pat
|
Patella
|
PS
|
Pubic symphysis
|
PCL
|
Posterior cruciate ligament
|
PUS
|
Pulsed ultrasound
|
PC
|
Presenting complaint
|
PD*
|
Provisional diagnosis
|
PD*
|
Parkinson’s disease
|
Prn (Pro re nata)
|
As required
|
P1
|
Onset of pain
|
P2
|
Limits of pain
|
PDM
|
Pain during movement
|
PNS
|
Parasympathetic nervous system
|
Pron
|
Pronation
|
Piri or pir
|
Piriformis
|
PA
|
Posteroanterior
|
PGM
|
Posterior gluteus medius
|
QL
|
Quadratus lumborum
|
Quads
|
Quadriceps
|
QH
|
Quadriceps and hamstrings
|
(R& S)
Abbreviation
|
Definition
|
R1
|
Onset of resistance
|
R2
|
Point where resistance limits movement
|
RHS
|
Right hand side
|
Rx
|
Treatment
|
R
|
Right
|
ROM
|
Range of motion
|
RA
|
Rheumatoid arthritis
|
R/v, rv or rev
|
Review
|
Rotn
|
Rotation
|
RSD
|
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
|
RTA
|
Road traffic accident
|
RTC
|
Road traffic collision
|
RO
|
Removal of
|
Ret or retn
|
Retraction
|
R.u.
|
Radioulnar
|
R.c.
|
Radiocarpal
|
RF
|
Rectus femoris
|
Rhom or rh
|
Rhomboids
|
RBB
|
Reach behind back
|
RBH
|
Reach behind head
|
RBN
|
Reach behind neck
|
R’d
|
Resisted
|
SH or SHx
|
Social history
|
Sh
|
Shoulder
|
SIJ
|
Sacroiliac joint
|
SLR
|
Straight leg raise
|
SQ/c
|
Static quads contraction
|
S1-5
|
Labelled 1st to 5th sacral segments
|
St*
|
Standing
|
St*
|
Stiffness/stiff
|
Sitt
|
Sitting
|
STM
|
Soft tissue massage
|
STI
|
Soft tissue injury
|
S/B
|
Seen by
|
SF
|
Side flexion
|
S.ly
|
Side lying
|
Sup
|
Superior
|
Supn
|
Supination
|
SCJ or S/C jt
|
Sternoclavicular joint
|
SS
|
Sacral sulcus
|
Sub occ
|
Sub-occipital
|
SP
|
Spinous process
|
SCM
|
Sterno-cleido mastoid
|
Supsp or ss
|
Supraspinatus
|
ST lig
|
Sacrotuberous ligament
|
SSTM
|
Specific soft tissue massage
|
SNAG
|
Sustained natural apophyseal glide
|
SG
|
Side glide
|
SGIS
|
Side glide in standing
|
SE
|
Subjective examination
|
Sl
|
Slightly
|
Sx
|
Surgeon
|
SHR
|
Scapulohumeral rhythm
|
SL/SLS
|
Single leg/single leg stance
|
S
|
Spasm
|
SNS
|
Sympathetic nervous system
|
ST
|
Sub talar
|
Scal
|
Scalenes
|
SKB
|
Single knee bend
|
Scol
|
Scoliosis
|
S/T
|
Spoke to
|
SNF
|
Superficial neck flexors
|
(T, U & V)
Abbreviation
|
Definition
|
T
|
Treatment
|
TOP
|
Tender on palpation
|
TP
|
Transverse process
|
Tx/sp, Tx sp,Thx sp or Tsp
|
Thoracic spine
|
TA*
|
Tendo Achilles
|
TA* or trans abdo
|
Transverse abdominus
|
TFL
|
Tensor fascia lata
|
T1-12
|
Labelled 1st to 12th thoracic vertebrae
|
TP
|
Trigger point
|
TPR
|
Trigger point release
|
Trap
|
Trapezius
|
Tmin
|
Teres minor
|
Tmaj
|
Teres major
|
Tibfem or TFJ
|
Tibiofemoral joint
|
TB
|
Tuberculosis
|
TL jxn
|
Thoraco-lumbar junction
|
TC or TCJ
|
Talo-crural (joint)
|
TN
|
Talo-navicular
|
Tx
|
Treatment
|
UL
|
Upper limb
|
UTA
|
Unable to attend
|
ULTT
|
Upper limb tension test
|
U/S
|
Ultrasound
|
UFT
|
Upper fibers of trapezius
|
Uni
|
Unilateral
|
VMO
|
Vastus medialis oblique
|
V. lat or VL
|
Vastus lateralis
|
v.
|
Very
|
(W,X,Y& Z)
Abbreviation
|
Definition
|
Wt or wgt
|
Weight
|
Wb
|
Weight bearing
|
W
|
Worse
|
WIN
|
Wake in night
|
Symbol
|
Definition
|
+1, +2
|
Assistance
|
♂
|
Male
|
♀
|
Female
|
↓
|
Down, downward, decrease, diminished
|
↑
|
Up, upward, increase
|
//
|
Parallel, parallel bars (also // bars)
|
_
c |
With
|
_
s |
Without
|
_
p |
After
|
_
a |
Before
|
~
|
Approximately
|
@
|
At
|
∆
|
Change/diagnosis
|
>
|
Greater than
|
<
|
Less than
|
=
|
Equals or equals to
|
+
|
Positive
|
-
|
Negative
|
#
|
Number or fracture
|
/
|
Per
|
%
|
Per cent
|
↔
|
To and from
|
→
|
To, progressing toward, approaching
|
1°
|
Primary
|
2°
|
Secondary, secondary to
|
/24
|
Pattern over 24 hours
|
/7
|
Pattern over 7 days/1 week
|
/12
|
Pattern over 12 months/1 year
|
c/o
|
Complaining of
|
palpn
|
Palpation
|
