Medical abbreviations and acronyms (A)
Updates to Article Attributes
This article contains a list of commonly used medical abbreviations and acronyms that start with the letter A and may be encountered in medicine and radiology (please keep both the main list and any sublists in alphabetic order).
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 - misc
-
A
alanine (single letter amino acid code)
artery
blood type (ABO system)
A1-A5: annular pulleys
-
AA
alleged assault
alcoholics anonymous
amyloid A
arachidonic acid
-
AAA
acute anxiety attack
American Association of Anatomists
anti-actin antibodies
-
AAC
Advisory Appointment Committee (UK)
AAL: anterior axillary line
-
AAS
-
AB
abortion
antibiotics
antibody
blood type (ABO system)
-
ABC
airway, breathing, circulation
antigen-binding capacity
atomic, biological, chemical (warfare)
ABER: abduction and external rotation position
ABG: arterial blood gas
-
ABI
acquired brain injury
ABO: a blood type system
ABPI: ankle-brachial pressure index
-
ABR
auditory brainstem response
-
abs
absent
absolute
muscles of the abdomen
ABx: antibiotics
-
AC
anterior chamber
anticoagulant
axillary clearance
before meals (L: ante cibum)
Ac: actinium
-
ACA
anticardiolipin antibody
ACDA: anterior cervical disc arthroplasty
-
ACE
acetylcholine esterase
angiotensin-converting enzyme
ACE-i: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor
ACGME: Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
ACh: acetylcholine
AChE: acetylcholinesterase
ACLS: advanced cardiac life support
ACOAS: anomalous origin of the coronary artery arising from the opposite sinus
AC-PC line: anterior commissure - posterior commissure line
-
ACS
altered conscious state
ACTH: adrenocorticotropic hormone
ACVS: acute COVID-19 vaccination syndrome
-
AD
addict
alcohol dehydrogenase
antidepressant
atopic dermatitis
autosomal dominant
axillary dissection
-
ADC
analogue-to-digital converter
ADE: antibody-dependent enhancement
ADH: antidiuretic hormone
ADHD: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
ADHF: acute decompensated heart failure
ADL: activities of daily living
ADP: adenosine diphosphate
ADR: adverse drug reaction
ADT: androgen deprivation therapy
A&E: accident and emergency (department)
A/E: accident and emergency (department)
AE: air entry
-
AF
amniotic fluid
AFB: acid-fast bacillus
AFI: amniotic fluid index
AFL: air flow limitation
AFP: alpha fetoprotein
AFUS: atypical follicular cells of undetermined significance
-
AG
anion gap
antiglobulin (test)
-
Ag
silver (Latin: argentum)
antigen
AGUS: atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance
A/G: albumin-globulin ratio
-
AI
artificial insemination
assisted insemination
autoimmune
AIN: acute interstitial nephritis
AION: anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy
AIP: average intensity projection
AIS: American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale
AKA: above knee amputation
AKI: acute kidney injury
AKU: alkaptonuria
Al: aluminium
Ala: alanine
ALCAPA: anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery
-
ALD
alcoholic liver disease
-
ALI
-
ALL
ALND: axillary lymph node dissection
ALOC: altered level of consciousness
ALP: alkaline phosphatase
-
ALS
-
ALT
alanine transaminase
anterolateral thigh free flap
ALTE: acute life-threatening event
ALVAL: aseptic lymphocyte-dominant vasculitis-associated lesion
-
AM
Am: americium
-
AMA:
American Medical Association
Australian Medical Association
advanced maternal age (obstetrics)
antimitochondrial antibody
AmE: American English
-
AMI
A-mode: amplitude mode (ultrasound)
AMP: adenosine monophosphate or adenylic acid
AMPA: α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid
AMS: altered mental status
-
AN
ANA: antinuclear antibodies
anat: anatomy
ANED: alive, no evidence of disease
ANOH: anatomic neck of humerus
Ao: aorta
AOM: acute otomastoiditis
AP: anterior-posterior or anteroposterior
APC: argon plasma coagulation
APLA: antiphospholipid antibodies
APR: abdominoperineal resection
-
APS
APT: antiplatelet therapy
APTT: activated partial thromboplastin time
-
AR
augmented reality
autosomal recessive
Ar: argon
ARBD: alcohol-related birth defects
ARF: acute renal failure
Arg: arginine
ARND: alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorders
-
ART:
antiretroviral therapy
assisted reproductive technology
-
AS
active surveillance
associate specialist (UK)
As: arsenic
ASA: acetylsalicylic acid
ASAD: arthroscopic subacromial decompression
-
ASAP
as soon as possible
ASB: anatomical snuff box
ASCVD: atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
-
ASD
autistic spectrum disorder
ASIA: American Spinal Injury Association
Asn: asparagine
Asp: aspartic acid
AST: aspartate transaminase
ASUC: acute severe ulcerative colitis
AT: atrial tachycardia
At: astatine
ATECO: auto-triggered elliptic centric-ordered (MRV)
ATG: antithymocyte globulin
ATI: attenuation imaging
ATL: anterior temporal lobectomy
ATLS: advanced trauma life support
ATOR: at time of review
ATP: adenosine triphosphate
ATRA: all-trans retinoic acid
Au: gold (Latin: aurum)
AUB: abnormal uterine bleeding
AUS: atypia of undetermined significance
-
AV
AVB: abnormal vaginal bleeding
AVNRT: AV nodal re-entry tachycardia
AVR: aortic valve replacement
-
Axe
AXR: abdominal X-ray
AZ: apical zone
AZT: azidothymidine (HIV drug) (a.k.a. zidovudine)
-<p>This article contains a list of commonly used <strong>medical abbreviations and acronyms</strong> that start with the letter <strong>A</strong> and may be encountered in medicine and radiology (please keep both the main list and any sublists in alphabetic order).</p><p><strong>A</strong> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-b">B</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-c">C</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-d">D</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-e">E</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-f">F</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-g">G</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-h">H</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-i-1">I</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-j">J</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-k">K</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-l">L</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-m">M</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-n">N</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-o">O</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-p">P</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-q">Q</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-r">R</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-s">S</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-t">T</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-u">U</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-v">V</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-w">W</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-x">X</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-y">Y</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-z">Z</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-miscellaneous-1">misc</a></p><ul>- +<p>This article contains a list of commonly used <strong>medical abbreviations and acronyms</strong> that start with the letter <strong>A</strong> and may be encountered in medicine and radiology (please keep both the main list and any sublists in alphabetic order).</p><p><strong>A</strong> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-b">B</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-c">C</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-d">D</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-e">E</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-f">F</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-g">G</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-h">H</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-i-1">I</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-j">J</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-k">K</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-l">L</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-m">M</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-n">N</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-o">O</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-p">P</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-q">Q</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-r">R</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-s">S</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-t">T</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-u">U</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-v">V</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-w">W</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-x">X</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-y">Y</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-z">Z</a> - <a href="/articles/medical-abbreviations-and-acronyms-miscellaneous-1">misc</a></p><ul>
-<li><p>Advisory Appointment Committee (UK) </p></li>- +<li><p>Advisory Appointment Committee (UK) </p></li>
-<li><p>AARF: <a href="/articles/atlanto-axial-subluxation">atlantoaxial rotatory fixation</a></p></li>- +<li><p>AARF: <a href="/articles/atlanto-axial-subluxation">atlantoaxial rotatory fixation</a></p></li>
-<li><p>AAST: <a href="http://www.aast.org/Default.aspx">American association for the surgery of trauma</a></p></li>- +<li><p>AAST: <a href="http://www.aast.org/Default.aspx">American association for the surgery of trauma</a></p></li>
-<li><p>ABER: <a href="/articles/aber-position">abduction and external rotation</a> position</p></li>- +<li><p>ABER: <a href="/articles/aber-position">abduction and external rotation</a> position</p></li>
-<li><p>ABPA: <a href="/articles/allergic-bronchopulmonary-aspergillosis">allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis</a></p></li>- +<li><p>ABPA: <a href="/articles/allergic-bronchopulmonary-aspergillosis">allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis</a></p></li>
-<li><p>ACE-i: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor</p></li>- +<li><p>ACE-i: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor</p></li>
-<li><p>ACJ: <a href="/articles/acromioclavicular-joint-1">acromioclavicular joint</a></p></li>-<li><p>ACL: <a href="/articles/anterior-cruciate-ligament">anterior cruciate ligament</a></p></li>- +<li><p>ACJ: <a href="/articles/acromioclavicular-joint-1">acromioclavicular joint</a></p></li>
- +<li><p>ACL: <a href="/articles/anterior-cruciate-ligament">anterior cruciate ligament</a></p></li>
-<li><p>ACOM: <a href="/articles/anterior-communicating-artery">anterior communicating artery</a></p></li>-<li><p>AC-PC line: <a href="/articles/anterior-commissure-posterior-commissure-line-1">anterior commissure - posterior commissure line</a></p></li>- +<li><p>ACOM: <a href="/articles/anterior-communicating-artery">anterior communicating artery</a></p></li>
- +<li><p>AC-PC line: <a href="/articles/anterior-commissure-posterior-commissure-line-1">anterior commissure - posterior commissure line</a></p></li>
-<li><p>ADEM: <a href="/articles/acute-disseminated-encephalomyelitis-adem-1">acute disseminating encephalomyelitis</a></p></li>- +<li><p>ADEM: <a href="/articles/acute-disseminated-encephalomyelitis-adem-1">acute disseminating encephalomyelitis</a></p></li>
-<li><p>ADRC: <a href="/articles/automatic-dose-rate-control">automatic dose rate control</a></p></li>- +<li><p>ADRC: <a href="/articles/automatic-dose-rate-control">automatic dose rate control</a></p></li>
-<li><p>A&E: accident and emergency (department)</p></li>- +<li><p>A&E: accident and emergency (department)</p></li>
-<li><p>AFCU: <a href="/articles/accessory-flexor-carpi-ulnaris-muscle">accessory flexor carpi ulnaris muscle</a></p></li>- +<li><p>AFCU: <a href="/articles/accessory-flexor-carpi-ulnaris-muscle">accessory flexor carpi ulnaris muscle</a></p></li>
-<li><p>AFP: <a href="/articles/alpha-fetoprotein-1">alpha fetoprotein</a></p></li>-<li><p>AFS: <a href="/articles/allergic-fungal-sinusitis">allergic fungal sinusitis</a></p></li>- +<li><p>AFP: <a href="/articles/alpha-fetoprotein-1">alpha fetoprotein</a></p></li>
- +<li><p>AFS: <a href="/articles/allergic-fungal-sinusitis">allergic fungal sinusitis</a></p></li>
-<li><p>AICA: <a href="/articles/anterior-inferior-cerebellar-artery">anterior inferior cerebellar artery</a></p></li>-<li><p>AICD: <a href="/articles/cardiac-conduction-devices">automated implantable cardiac defibrillator</a></p></li>-<li><p>AIDS: <a href="/articles/hivaids">acquired immunodeficiency syndrome</a></p></li>- +<li><p>AICA: <a href="/articles/anterior-inferior-cerebellar-artery">anterior inferior cerebellar artery</a></p></li>
- +<li><p>AICD: <a href="/articles/cardiac-conduction-devices">automated implantable cardiac defibrillator</a></p></li>
- +<li><p>AIDS: <a href="/articles/hivaids">acquired immunodeficiency syndrome</a></p></li>
-<li><p>AIIS: <a href="/articles/anterior-inferior-iliac-spine">anterior inferior iliac spine</a></p></li>- +<li><p>AIIS: <a href="/articles/anterior-inferior-iliac-spine">anterior inferior iliac spine</a></p></li>
-<li><p>AIP: <a href="/articles/acute-interstitial-pneumonia-1">acute interstitial pneumonitis</a></p></li>- +<li><p>AIP: <a href="/articles/acute-interstitial-pneumonia-1">acute interstitial pneumonitis</a></p></li>
-<li><p>AIS: <a href="/articles/asia-impairment-scale-for-spinal-injury">American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale</a></p></li>- +<li><p>AIS: <a href="/articles/asia-impairment-scale-for-spinal-injury">American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale</a></p></li>
-<li><p>AKI: <a href="/articles/contrast-induced-acute-kidney-injury">acute kidney injury</a></p></li>- +<li><p>AKI: <a href="/articles/contrast-induced-acute-kidney-injury">acute kidney injury</a></p></li>
-<li><p>ALARA:<a href="/articles/as-low-as-reasonably-achievable-alara"> as low as reasonably achievable</a></p></li>-<li><p>ALARP: <a href="/articles/as-low-as-reasonably-achievable-alara">as low as reasonably practicable</a></p></li>-<li><p>ALCAPA: <a href="/articles/anomalous-left-coronary-artery-from-the-pulmonary-artery">anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery</a></p></li>- +<li><p>ALARA:<a href="/articles/as-low-as-reasonably-achievable-alara"> as low as reasonably achievable</a></p></li>
- +<li><p>ALARP: <a href="/articles/as-low-as-reasonably-achievable-alara">as low as reasonably practicable</a></p></li>
- +<li><p>ALCAPA: <a href="/articles/anomalous-left-coronary-artery-from-the-pulmonary-artery">anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery</a></p></li>
-<li><p>ALHE: <a href="/articles/angiolymphoid-hyperplasia-with-eosinophilia">angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia</a></p></li>- +<li><p>ALHE: <a href="/articles/angiolymphoid-hyperplasia-with-eosinophilia">angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia</a></p></li>
-<li><p>ALPSA: <a href="/articles/anterior-labroligamentous-periosteal-sleeve-avulsion-lesion">anterior labroligamentous periosteal sleeve avulsion</a></p></li>- +<li><p>ALPSA: <a href="/articles/anterior-labroligamentous-periosteal-sleeve-avulsion-lesion">anterior labroligamentous periosteal sleeve avulsion</a></p></li>
-<li><p>A-mode: amplitude mode (ultrasound)</p></li>-<li><p>AMP: adenosine monophosphate or adenylic acid </p></li>-<li><p>AMPA: α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid</p></li>- +<li><p>A-mode: amplitude mode (ultrasound)</p></li>
- +<li><p>AML: <a href="/articles/acute-myeloid-leukaemia" title="Acute myeloid leukaemia">acute myeloid leukaemia</a></p></li>
- +<li><p>AMP: adenosine monophosphate or adenylic acid </p></li>
- +<li><p>AMPA: α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid</p></li>
- +<li><p>ANC: <a href="/articles/acute-necrotic-collection" title="Acute necrotic collection">acute necrotic collection</a></p></li>
-<li><p>Ao: <a href="/articles/aorta">aorta</a></p></li>- +<li><p>Ao: <a href="/articles/aorta">aorta</a></p></li>
-<li><p>AOM: <a href="/articles/acute-mastoiditis">acute otomastoiditis</a></p></li>- +<li><p>AOM: <a href="/articles/acute-mastoiditis">acute otomastoiditis</a></p></li>
-<li><p>APLS: <a href="/articles/antiphospholipid-syndrome">antiphospholipid syndrome</a></p></li>-<li><p>APML: <a href="/articles/acute-promyelocytic-leukemia">acute promyelocytic leukaemia</a></p></li>-<li><p>APMV: <a href="/articles/anterior-pontomesencephalic-vein">anterior pontomesencephalic vein</a></p></li>-<li><p>APO: <a href="/articles/pulmonary-oedema">acute pulmonary oedema</a></p></li>- +<li><p>APLS: <a href="/articles/antiphospholipid-syndrome">antiphospholipid syndrome</a></p></li>
- +<li><p>APML: <a href="/articles/acute-promyelocytic-leukemia">acute promyelocytic leukaemia</a></p></li>
- +<li><p>APMV: <a href="/articles/anterior-pontomesencephalic-vein">anterior pontomesencephalic vein</a></p></li>
- +<li><p>APO: <a href="/articles/pulmonary-oedema">acute pulmonary oedema</a></p></li>
-<li><p>APRV: <a href="/articles/airway-pressure-release-ventilation">airway pressure release ventilation</a></p></li>- +<li><p>APRV: <a href="/articles/airway-pressure-release-ventilation">airway pressure release ventilation</a></p></li>
-<li><p>APW: <a href="/articles/aortopulmonary-window-radiograph">aortopulmonary window</a></p></li>- +<li><p>APW: <a href="/articles/aortopulmonary-window-radiograph">aortopulmonary window</a></p></li>
-<li><p>ARDS: <a href="/articles/acute-respiratory-distress-syndrome-1">acute respiratory distress syndrome</a></p></li>- +<li><p>ARDS: <a href="/articles/acute-respiratory-distress-syndrome-1">acute respiratory distress syndrome</a></p></li>
-<li><p>ASB: <a href="/articles/anatomical-snuff-box">anatomical snuff box</a></p></li>-<li><p>ASCVD: atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease</p></li>- +<li><p>ASB: <a href="/articles/anatomical-snuff-box">anatomical snuff box</a></p></li>
- +<li><p>ASCVD: atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease</p></li>
-<li><p>aSDH: <a href="/articles/subdural-haemorrhage">acute subdural haemorrhage</a></p></li>-<li><p>ASIA: American Spinal Injury Association</p></li>-<li><p>ASIS: <a href="/articles/anterior-superior-iliac-spine">anterior superior iliac spine</a></p></li>- +<li><p>aSDH: <a href="/articles/subdural-haemorrhage">acute subdural haemorrhage</a></p></li>
- +<li><p>ASIA: American Spinal Injury Association</p></li>
- +<li><p>ASIS: <a href="/articles/anterior-superior-iliac-spine">anterior superior iliac spine</a></p></li>
-<li><p>ASP triad: <a href="/articles/currarino-syndrome-1">anorectal malformation or congenital anorectal stenosis, sacrococcygeal osseous defect, presacral mass</a></p></li>- +<li><p>ASP triad: <a href="/articles/currarino-syndrome-1">anorectal malformation or congenital anorectal stenosis, sacrococcygeal osseous defect, presacral mass</a></p></li>
-<li><p>ASPECTS: <a href="/articles/alberta-stroke-programme-early-ct-score-aspects">Alberta stroke program early CT score</a></p></li>- +<li><p>ASPECTS: <a href="/articles/alberta-stroke-programme-early-ct-score-aspects">Alberta stroke program early CT score</a></p></li>
-<li><p>ATA: <a href="/articles/anterior-tibial-artery">anterior tibial artery</a></p></li>- +<li><p>ATA: <a href="/articles/anterior-tibial-artery">anterior tibial artery</a></p></li>
-<li><p>ATFL: <a href="/articles/anterior-talofibular-ligament-1">anterior talofibular ligament</a></p></li>- +<li><p>ATFL: <a href="/articles/anterior-talofibular-ligament-1">anterior talofibular ligament</a></p></li>
-<li><p>ATRA: <a href="/articles/all-trans-retinoic-acid-syndrome-3">all-trans retinoic acid</a></p></li>-<li><p>ATRT: <a href="/articles/atypical-teratoidrhabdoid-tumour">atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumour</a></p></li>-<li><p>ATTL: <a href="/articles/anterior-tibiotalar-ligament">anterior tibiotalar ligament</a></p></li>- +<li><p>ATRA: <a href="/articles/all-trans-retinoic-acid-syndrome-3">all-trans retinoic acid</a></p></li>
- +<li><p>ATRT: <a href="/articles/atypical-teratoidrhabdoid-tumour">atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumour</a></p></li>
- +<li><p>ATTL: <a href="/articles/anterior-tibiotalar-ligament">anterior tibiotalar ligament</a></p></li>
-<li><p>AVF: <a href="/articles/arteriovenous-fistula">arteriovenous fistula</a></p></li>-<li><p>AVM: <a href="/articles/arteriovenous-malformation-2">arteriovenous malformation</a></p></li>- +<li><p>AVF: <a href="/articles/arteriovenous-fistula">arteriovenous fistula</a></p></li>
- +<li><p>AVM: <a href="/articles/arteriovenous-malformation-2">arteriovenous malformation</a></p></li>
-<li><p>AVSD: <a href="/articles/atrioventricular-septal-defect">atrioventricular septal defect</a></p></li>- +<li><p>AVSD: <a href="/articles/atrioventricular-septal-defect">atrioventricular septal defect</a></p></li>
-<li><p>AXR: <a href="/articles/abdominal-radiography">abdominal X-ray</a></p></li>- +<li><p>AXR: <a href="/articles/abdominal-radiography">abdominal X-ray</a></p></li>