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Medical Terminology: Abbreviations K-M
Medical abbreviations that begin with K-M are listed here.
Medical Abbreviations
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K
- Abbreviation: K
Meaning: potassium (from Latin kalium)
- Abbreviation: KA
Meaning: ketoacidosis
- Abbreviation: Kcal
Meaning: kilocalorie; calorie
- Abbreviation: KCCT
Meaning: kaolin cephalin clotting time (see Partial thromboplastin time)
- Abbreviation: kg
Meaning: kilogram
- Abbreviation: KIV
Meaning: keep in view
- Abbreviation: KLS
Meaning: kidney, liver, spleen
- Abbreviation: KOH
Meaning: potassium hydroxide
- Abbreviation: KS
Meaning: Kaposi's sarcoma; Kartagener syndrome
- Abbreviation: KSHV
Meaning: Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus
- Abbreviation: KUB
Meaning: kidneys, ureters, and bladder (x-ray)
- Abbreviation: KVO
Meaning: keep vein open (with slow infusion)
L
- Abbreviation: L
Meaning: leukocytes; lumbar vertebrae
- Abbreviation: L&D
Meaning: labor and delivery
- Abbreviation: LA
Meaning: lymphadenopathy; left atrium
- Abbreviation: LAAM
Meaning: L-alpha-acetylmethadol
- Abbreviation: Lab
Meaning: laboratory
- Abbreviation: LABA
Meaning: long acting beta agonist
- Abbreviation: LABBB
Meaning: left anterior bundle branch block
- Abbreviation: LAD
Meaning: left anterior descending (a coronary artery); leukocyte adhesion deficiency; left axis deviation (see electrocardiogram); lymphadenopathy
- Abbreviation: LAE
Meaning: left atrial enlargement
- Abbreviation: LAH
Meaning: left anterior hemiblock
- Abbreviation: LAHB
Meaning: left anterior hemiblock
- Abbreviation: Lam
Meaning: laminectomy
- Abbreviation: LAP
Meaning: leukocyte alkaline phosphatase
- Abbreviation: Lap
Meaning: laparotomy
- Abbreviation: Lap appy
Meaning: laparoscopic appendectomy
- Abbreviation: LAR
Meaning: low anterior resection
- Abbreviation: LARP
Meaning: left → anterior, right → posterior (path of the vagi as they wander from thorax to abdomen)
- Abbreviation: LAS
Meaning: lymphadenopathy syndrome
- Abbreviation: Lat
Meaning: lateral
- Abbreviation: lb; LB
Meaning: pound or pounds (mass)
- Abbreviation: LBBB
Meaning: left bundle branch block
- Abbreviation: LBO
Meaning: large bowel obstruction
- Abbreviation: LBP
Meaning: low back pain
- Abbreviation: LBW
Meaning: low birth weight
- Abbreviation: LCA
Meaning: left coronary artery
- Abbreviation: LCHAD
Meaning: long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase
- Abbreviation: LCIS
Meaning: lobular carcinoma in situ
- Abbreviation: LCM
Meaning: lymphocytic meningitis
- Abbreviation: LCMV
Meaning: lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus
- Abbreviation: LCPD
Meaning: Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease
- Abbreviation: LCV
Meaning: leukocytoclastic vasculitis
- Abbreviation: LCX
Meaning: left circumflex artery
- Abbreviation: L&D
Meaning: labor and delivery (see childbirth)
- Abbreviation: LDH
Meaning: lactate dehydrogenase
- Abbreviation: LDL
Meaning: low-density lipoprotein
- Abbreviation: LDL-C
Meaning: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol
- Abbreviation: L-DOPA
Meaning: levo-dihydroxyphenylalanine
- Abbreviation: LEC
Meaning: lupus erythematosus cell
- Abbreviation: LEEP
Meaning: loop electrical excision procedure
- Abbreviation: LES
Meaning: lower esophageal sphincter; lupus erythematosus systemicus
- Abbreviation: LE
Meaning: lupus erythematosus; lower extremity (human leg)
- Abbreviation: leu
Meaning: leukocytes
- Abbreviation: LFT
Meaning: liver function test
- Abbreviation: LGA
Meaning: large for gestational age
- Abbreviation: LGL
Meaning: Lown-Ganong-Levine syndrome
- Abbreviation: LGM
Meaning: lymphogranulomatosis maligna
- Abbreviation: LGSIL
Meaning: low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion
- Abbreviation: LGV
Meaning: lymphogranuloma venereum
- Abbreviation: LH
Meaning: luteinizing hormone
- Abbreviation: LHC
Meaning: left heart catheterization
- Abbreviation: LHRH
Meaning: luteinizing hormone releasing hormone
- Abbreviation: Lig
Meaning: ligament
- Abbreviation: LIH
Meaning: left inguinal hernia
- Abbreviation: LLD
Meaning: leg length discrepancy
- Abbreviation: LLE
Meaning: left lower extremity
- Abbreviation: LLETZ
Meaning: large loop excision of the transformation zone
- Abbreviation: LLL
Meaning: left lower lobe
- Abbreviation: LLQ
Meaning: left lower quadrant
- Abbreviation: LM
Meaning: left main
- Abbreviation: LMA
Meaning: left mentoanterior (fetal position); laryngeal mask airway
- Abbreviation: LMCA
Meaning: left main coronary artery
- Abbreviation: LMD
Meaning: local medical doctor
- Abbreviation: LMP
Meaning: last menstrual period—first day of the menstrual period prior to conceiving, used to calculate expected date of delivery (EDD)
- Abbreviation: LMWH
Meaning: low molecular weight heparin
- Abbreviation: LN
Meaning: lymph node
- Abbreviation: LNG
Meaning: levonorgestrel
- Abbreviation: LOA
Meaning: left occipitoanterior (fetal position); lysis of adhesions
- Abbreviation: LOC
Meaning: loss of consciousness (see unconsciousness); level of consciousness (e.g., "altered LOC from head trauma")
- Abbreviation: LOF
Meaning: leakage of fluid
- Abbreviation: LOL
Meaning: little old lady (often LOL in NAD—see House of God)
- Abbreviation: LOP
Meaning: Left Occiput Posterior - Fetal position
- Abbreviation: LORTA
Meaning: loss of resistance to air (in anesthesiology; when placing epidural, LORTA indicates entrance of needle to epidural space)
- Abbreviation: LOS
Meaning: length of stay
- Abbreviation: Lot
Meaning: lotion; Left Occiput Transverse - Fetal position
- Abbreviation: Lp
Meaning: lipoprotein
- Abbreviation: LP
Meaning: lumbar puncture
- Abbreviation: LPH
Meaning: left posterior hemiblock (see heart block)
- Abbreviation: LPL
Meaning: lipoprotein lipase
- Abbreviation: L/S
Meaning: lecithin to sphingomyelin ratio
- Abbreviation: LSB
Meaning: left sternal border
- Abbreviation: LSIL
Meaning: low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion
- Abbreviation: LR
Meaning: lactated Ringer's solution
- Abbreviation: LRTI
Meaning: lower respiratory tract infection
- Abbreviation: LT
Meaning: heat-labile enterotoxin
- Abbreviation: LTAC
Meaning: long-term acute care
- Abbreviation: LTCS
Meaning: low transverse cesarean section
- Abbreviation: LUL
Meaning: left upper lobe (of lung)
- Abbreviation: LUQ
Meaning: left upper quadrant (of abdomen)
- Abbreviation: LUS
Meaning: lower uterine segment
- Abbreviation: LV
Meaning: left ventricle
- Abbreviation: LVAD
Meaning: left ventricular assist device
- Abbreviation: LVEDP
Meaning: left ventricular end diastolic pressure
- Abbreviation: LVEF
Meaning: left ventricular ejection fraction
- Abbreviation: LVF
Meaning: left ventricular failure
- Abbreviation: LVH
Meaning: left ventricular hypertrophy
- Abbreviation: LVOT
Meaning: left ventricular outflow tract
- Abbreviation: LWBS
Meaning: left without being seen
- Abbreviation: Lx of ch
Meaning: laxative of choice
- Abbreviation: Ly
Meaning: lymphocytes
- Abbreviation: lytes
Meaning: electrolytes
M
- Abbreviation: M
Meaning: murmur (heart murmur)
- Abbreviation: MAC
Meaning: Mycobacterium avium complex
- Abbreviation: MAE
Meaning: moves all extremities
- Abbreviation: MAHA
Meaning: microangiopathic hemolytic anemia
- Abbreviation: MAL
Meaning: midaxillary line
- Abbreviation: MALT
Meaning: mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue
- Abbreviation: MAOI
Meaning: monoamine oxidase inhibitor
- Abbreviation: Mφ
Meaning: macrophage
- Abbreviation: MAP
Meaning: mean arterial pressure
- Abbreviation: MARSA
Meaning: methicillin- and aminoglycoside-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
- Abbreviation: MAS
Meaning: Morgagni-Adams-Stokes syndrome; meconium aspiration syndrome
- Abbreviation: MAST
Meaning: Michigan alcohol screening test
- Abbreviation: MAT
Meaning: multifocal atrial tachycardia; microscopic agglutination test
- Abbreviation: MBSS
Meaning: modified barium swallow study
- Abbreviation: MC
Meaning: metacarpal bone
- Abbreviation: MCD
Meaning: minimal change disease
- Abbreviation: MCP
Meaning: metacarpophalangeal joint
- Abbreviation: MCHC
Meaning: mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration
- Abbreviation: MCH
Meaning: mean cell hemoglobin; mean corpuscular hemoglobin
- Abbreviation: MC&S
Meaning: microscopy, culture, and sensitivity (the investigation steps in processing microbiology samples)
- Abbreviation: MCTD
Meaning: mixed connective tissue disease
- Abbreviation: MCV
Meaning: mean corpuscular volume
- Abbreviation: MDCT
Meaning: multidetector row computerized tomography
- Abbreviation: MDD
Meaning: major depressive disorder
- Abbreviation: MDE
Meaning: major depressive episode
- Abbreviation: MDI
Meaning: metered dose inhaler
- Abbreviation: MDS
Meaning: myelodysplastic syndrome
- Abbreviation: M/E
Meaning: microscopic examination
- Abbreviation: MEDLINE
Meaning: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
- Abbreviation: MEN
Meaning: multiple endocrine neoplasia
- Abbreviation: MeSH
Meaning: Medical Subject Headings (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
- Abbreviation: MET
Meaning: metabolic equivalent
- Abbreviation: met
Meaning: metastasis (pronounced like the word met; plural mets)
- Abbreviation: MFM
Meaning: maternal and fetal medicine
- Abbreviation: Mg
Meaning: magnesium
- Abbreviation: MG
Meaning: myasthenia gravis
- Abbreviation: MGN
Meaning: membranous glomerulonephritis
- Abbreviation: MGUS
Meaning: monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (unknown or uncertain may be substituted for undetermined)
- Abbreviation: MHA-TP
Meaning: microhemagglutination assay for T. pallidum
- Abbreviation: MI
Meaning: myocardial infarction
- Abbreviation: MIC
Meaning: minimum inhibitory concentration
- Abbreviation: MICA
Meaning: mental illness and chemical abuse; mentally ill chemical abuser
- Abbreviation: MICU
Meaning: mobile intensive care unit / medical intensive care unit
- Abbreviation: MIF
Meaning: Müllerian inhibitory factor
- Abbreviation: MLC
Meaning: mixed lymphocyte culture
- Abbreviation: MLE
Meaning: midline episiotomy
- Abbreviation: MM
Meaning: myeloid metaplasia
- Abbreviation: M&M
Meaning: morbidity and mortality
- Abbreviation: MMFR
Meaning: midmaximal flow rate
- Abbreviation: MMI
Meaning: maximum medical improvement
- Abbreviation: MMK
Meaning: Marshall-Marchetti-Kranz procedure
- Abbreviation: MMPI
Meaning: Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory
- Abbreviation: MMSE
Meaning: mini-mental state examination
- Abbreviation: MN
Meaning: membranous nephropathy
- Abbreviation: MOB
Meaning: mother of baby
- Abbreviation: mod
Meaning: moderate; modified
- Abbreviation: MODY
Meaning: maturity onset diabetes of the young
- Abbreviation: Mo
Meaning: monocytes
- Abbreviation: MoM
Meaning: multiples of the median
- Abbreviation: MOM
Meaning: milk of magnesia
- Abbreviation: Mono-Di
Meaning: Monochorionic-Diamniotic twins
- Abbreviation: Mono-Mono
Meaning: Monochorionic-Monoamniotic twins
- Abbreviation: MOPP
Meaning: mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone in combination (older treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma)
- Abbreviation: MPA
Meaning: medroxyprogesterone acetate
- Abbreviation: MPD
Meaning: Main Pancreatic Duct
- Abbreviation: MPD(s)
Meaning: myeloproliferative disease(s)
- Abbreviation: MPGN
Meaning: membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis
- Abbreviation: MPO
Meaning: myeloperoxidase
- Abbreviation: MPV
Meaning: mean platelet volume
- Abbreviation: MR
Meaning: medical representative; mental retardation; mitral regurgitation; modified release (compare Time Release Technology, medicine)
- Abbreviation: MRA
Meaning: magnetic resonance angiography
- Abbreviation: MRCP
Meaning: magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography
- Abbreviation: MRG
Meaning: murmurs, rubs, and gallops (see heart sounds)
- Abbreviation: MRI
Meaning: magnetic resonance imaging
- Abbreviation: MRSA
Meaning: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
- Abbreviation: MS
Meaning: medical student (MS-1, MS-2, MS-3, MS-4); mental status (see mental status examination); mitral stenosis; multiple sclerosis
- Abbreviation: MS-AFP
Meaning: maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein
- Abbreviation: MSE
Meaning: mental status examination
- Abbreviation: MSH
Meaning: melanocyte-stimulating hormone
- Abbreviation: MSK
Meaning: medullary sponge kidney
- Abbreviation: MSM
Meaning: men who have sex with men
- Abbreviation: MSU
Meaning: midstream urine sample (used in testing for presence of urinary tract infections); monosodium urate
- Abbreviation: MSUD
Meaning: maple syrup urine disease
- Abbreviation: MT
Meaning: metatarsal bone
- Abbreviation: MTBI
Meaning: mild traumatic brain injury
- Abbreviation: MTP
Meaning: metatarsalphalangeal joint
- Abbreviation: MTX
Meaning: methotrexate
- Abbreviation: MVA
Meaning: motor vehicle accident
- Abbreviation: MVC
Meaning: motor vehicle crash
- Abbreviation: MVo2
Meaning: mixed venous oxygen concentration
- Abbreviation: MVP
Meaning: mitral valve prolapse
- Abbreviation: MVPS
Meaning: mitral valve prolapse syndrome
- Abbreviation: MVR
Meaning: mitral valve replacement
Medical Abbreviations
0-9 |
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
H |
I |
J |
K |
L |
M |
N |
O |
P |
Q |
R |
S |
T |
U |
V |
W |
X |
Y |
Z
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Medical Coding
Medical coding is dependent upon a solid understanding of medical terminology.
To be successful and accurate medical coders must have a solid understanding of common medical terms for various reasons which include:
- Reading and understanding medical dictation
- Proper code look up and selection
- Communicating with physicians, insurance companies, and other medical professionals
- Understanding human anatomy
- Appealing claim denials
Abbreviations
Medical abbreviations are used all the time in hospitals, clinics and various health institutions.
Many of these abbreviations are well-known and in use outside medical settings, but different institutions can develop internal abbreviations that aren't generally recognized.
Medical abbreviations are used to save time when diagnosing and writing charts. We've tried to put together an exhaustive list of the ones that are in general use.
Consider Context
If you encounter an abbreviation that could have two or more conflicting meanings, always consider the context.
This may seem obvious, but if you see the abbreviation HL it is usually apparent whether the physician referred to Hodgkin's lymphoma or the patient's hearing level.
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