The Illustrated Doctors Dictionary

Introduction to the First (non-illustrated) Edition

Because few people read introductions to any medical book, let alone a dictionary, the lexicographer with a burning message is well advised to cut to the chase.

I started writing medical dictionaries in the 1980s to supplement the material I was then using to study for the boards exam in pathology (US). This project started life as a collection of pathology jargon; it soon grew to include slang, buzz phrases and material from all fields of medicine and allied health care. It is thede factocompanion toThe Concise Dictionary ofModern Medicine, a more traditional medical lexicon which I published in 2006 with McGraw-Hill, a work which is available as an electronic product in e-bookstores (Kindle, iBooks, Nook), and which I expect to substantially revise and grow in the next few years.The Concisewas deliberately top-heavy with abbreviations as a ploy to save a few trees, a manoeuvre which is unnecessary for electronic products. That said, it’s pointless to spell out certain abbreviations each time they appear; I’ll take it for granted that they’re part of every doctor’s vocabulary, and if you’re still a student, they soon will be:

A&E–accident and emergency

AAA-abdominal aortic aneurysm (often abbreviated in Medspeak as“triple A”)

AKA-above the knee amputation

AMA-American Medical Association

BCC-basal cell carcinoma

BKA-below the knee amputation

BM–bone marrow

BMA-British Medical Association

CABG-Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

CDC–Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

CLL–chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

CML-chronic myeloid leukaemia

CMV-cytomegalovirus

CNS–central nervous system

CRP-C-reactive protein

CPR-cardiiopulmonary resuscitation

CSF–cerebrospinal fluid

CT-computed tomography

DEA–Drug Enforcement Administration (US)

DIC-disseminated intravascular coagulation

DIFFDX-Differential diagnosis

DVT–deep vein thombosis

EEG–electroencephalogram/electroencephalography

ER-emergency room

ESR-erythrocyte sedimentation rate

FDA-Food and Drug Administration

GMC–General Medical Council (UK)

HBV–hepatitis B virus

HCV-hepatitis C virus

HDL-high-density lipoprotein

HSV-herpes simplex virus

ICU-intensive care unit

IMAO-inhibitor of monoamine oxidase

ITU-intensive therapy unit

IV-intravenous

L&D–labour and delivery

LDL-low-density lipoprotein

LP-lumbar puncture

MACE-Major acute coronary event, major adverse cardiac event, major adverse cardiovascular event

MI–myocardial infarct, myocardial infarction

MRI–MRI

MS–multiple sclerosis

MVA-motor/moving vehicle/vehicular accident

NG-nasogastric

NHS-National Health Service (UK)

NSAIDs–non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

OC-oral contraceptives