a-, an- = no, not (as in anemia}.
AAA – abdominal aortic aneurysm.
AAA – diagnostic arthroscopy, operative arthroscopy, and operative arthrotomy.
A&P – anterior and posterior vaginal repair
Ab, ab – abortion. ab- = away from. abate – to lessen or decrease. abdomen – the anterior portion of the body between the thorax and the pelvis. abdomin/o = abdomen (as in abdominocentesis). abdominal – pertaining to the abdomen. abdominal cavity – contains organs such as the stomach, liver, intestines, and gallbladder. abdominal quadrants – four topographic subdivisions of the abdomen determined by two imaginary lines dividing the body through the naval – one vertical, one horizontal; health professionals use these designations to help locate specific internal organs. abdominal regions – nine topographic subdivisions of the abdomen determined by four imaginary lines configured in a tic-tac-toe pattern; anatomists use these named regions to identify the location of internal organs. abdominal thrusts – emergency procedure in which sudden pressure on the abdomen of a person who is choking may dislodge material from the airway; formerly called Heimlich maneuver. abdominocentesis – paracentesis of the abdomen. abdomniopelvic cavity - the single cavity containing the abdominal and pelvic organs; the 4 quadrants being right upper, left upper, right upper and right lower. abdominoperineal resection – removal of the entire lower bowel, including the anus. abdominoplasty – plastic surgery of the surface of the abdomen. abduction – moving away from the midline of the body; opposite motion of adduction (often dictated as “a-b-duction”). aberrant – wandering; abnormal.
ABGs – arterial blood gases. abject – existing in a low condition (as in abject poverty). ablation – total removal of a part, normal or abnormal, by surgical or chemical means. ablative measures for VIN (vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia) - abnormal – not typical; unusual.
ABO