Download medical terminology and abbreviations

MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY AND ABBREVIATIONS
TERM
MEANING
Spinal cavity
The cavity that contains the spinal cord
Trachea
The wind pipe that extends from the throat to the lungs
Oesophagus
The portion of the digestive canal between the pharynx and the stomach.
Approximately 25cm long
Pharynx
The cavity behind the nose and mouth, connecting them to the oesophagus
Thyroid gland
A two-lobed endocrine gland, located at eh base of the neck that secretes two
hormones that regulate the rates of metabolism, growth and development
Parathyroid glands
Any of usually four small kidney-shaped glands that lie in pairs near or within the
posterior surface of the thyroid gland and secrete a hormone necessary for the
metabolism of calcium and phosphorus
Hyoid bone
A U-shaped bone at eh base of the tongue that supports the muscles of the tongue
Cartilage
Is a flexible connective tissue found in many parts of the body. It can bend a bit, but
resists stretching. It main function is to connect bones together
Thyroid cartilage
The largest of the cartilages of the larynx (the voice box)
Cricoid cartilage
Ring shaped cartilage at the lower end of the trachea
Parotid glands
The largest of the three major salivary glands, it is located in front and below the ear
and behind the jaw bone.
External Carotid
Arteries
Are the outer branch of the carotid artery that supplies the face, tongue and external
parts of the head
Chyme
A semi fluid mass of partly digested food expelled by the stomach into the duodenum
Duodenum
The first section, the anus through which faecal waste is of the small intestine
Cytokines
A small protein released by cells that effect communication between cells or
behaviour of cells
Plasma
A clear fluid that contains water for hydration and nutrition for the cells of the body
Superior
Upper or above e.g. the lungs are superior to the diaphragm
Inferior
Lower of below e.g. the diaphragm is inferior to the lungs
Anterior (Ventral)
At or towards the front of the body; includes the face, chest and abdomen
Posterior (Dorsal)
At or towards the back of the body or body part; e.g. includes the back and buttocks
Medial
Towards the midline of the body – an imaginary line drawn down the centre of the
body is referred to as the median sagittal plane
Lateral
Relating to or located at the side of the body or body part; e.g. the arms are lateral to
the trunk
Superficial
On or near the body surface; e.g. the skin is superficial to the body’s internal organs
Deep
Inward or away from the body surface; e.g. the stomach is a deep organ
External
Pertaining to the outside or outer; e.g. the epidermis is the external layer of the skin
Terminology Healthy body systems
Version 1
Owner: Community Health Hospitality and Service Skills Faculty (CHHASS)
Disclaimer: Printed copies of this document are regarded as uncontrolled.
Page 1 of 3
Date Created: Feb/2016
Internal
Pertaining to the inside or inner; e.g. the proximal interphalangeal joints are those
closest to the hand
Distal
Farthest from the centre of mid-line of the body, or farthest away from any point of
reference; e.g. the distal phalanges are those at the ends of the fingers
Phalanges
The bones of the fingers or toes
abdo
abdomen
hrs
hours
Ht
height
lab
laboratory
Neg
Negative
obs
observation
Wt
Weight
BD
mane
TDS
nocte
QID
stat
PRN
BGL
BP
TPR
BO
BNO
BKA
CCF
CVA
CXR
FBC
NFR
GIT
IDC
SPC
MS
NAD
NBM
PAC
ROM
UA
UTI
MSU
Twice daily
morning
Three times a day
Night time
Four times a day
immediately
When needed ( as required)
Blood glucose level
Blood pressure
Temperature, pulse, respiration
Bowels opened
Bowels not opened
Below knee amputation
Congestive cardiac failure
Cerebral vascular accident
Chest X-ray
Fluid balance chart
Not for resuscitation
Gastrointestinal tract
Indwelling catheter
Supra pubic catheter
Multiple sclerosis
Nil abnormalities detected
Nil by mouth
Pressure area care
Range of movement
Urinalysis
Urinary tract infection
Mid-stream urine
Terminology Healthy body systems
Version 1
Owner: Community Health Hospitality and Service Skills Faculty (CHHASS)
Disclaimer: Printed copies of this document are regarded as uncontrolled.
Page 2 of 3
Date Created: Feb/2016