- By Aditi Priya Singh
- Tue, 01 Jul 2025 06:13 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
40+ Common Medical Terms And Their Full Forms: Medical terms are often used by doctors, nurses and health professionals in reports, prescriptions, or hospital visits. These terms may sound confusing, especially when they are written in short forms or abbreviations like BP, ECG, or CBC. Knowing the full forms and meanings of these common medical terms can help you better understand your health, test reports and treatment processes.
These abbreviations are not only used in hospitals but also appear in regular health checkups, diagnostic centres, and during emergency care. For example, “BP” stands for Blood Pressure, and “HR” means Heart Rate. Understanding such terms makes it easier for patients and their families to communicate with healthcare providers and follow medical advice more confidently.
This list includes over 40 widely used medical terms, grouped by categories like general medical use, blood tests, heart and lung health, and body systems. Each term is explained with its full form so that anyone, whether a student, patient or curious reader, can learn and stay informed. Knowing these terms doesn’t require a medical degree; just a little curiosity can make a big difference in your understanding of your own body and health.
General Medical Terms With Their Full Forms
1. BP – Blood Pressure
2. HR – Heart Rate
3. BMI – Body Mass Index
4. ECG – Electrocardiogram
5. CBC – Complete Blood Count
6. ENT – Ear, Nose, Throat
7. ICU – Intensive Care Unit
8. OPD – Outpatient Department
9. IPD – Inpatient Department
10. CT – Computed Tomography
11. MRI – Magnetic Resonance Imaging
12. BMR – Basal Metabolic Rate
ALSO READ: 40+ Modern Dating And Relationship Slangs With Their Meanings You Must Know In 2025
Blood and Biochemistry Terms
13. RBC – Red Blood Cells
14. WBC – White Blood Cells
15. Hb – Haemoglobin
16. ESR – Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
17. LFT – Liver Function Test
18. KFT – Kidney Function Test
19. HDL – High-Density Lipoprotein
20. LDL – Low-Density Lipoprotein
21. FBS – Fasting Blood Sugar
22. PPBS – Postprandial Blood Sugar
23. RFT – Renal Function Test
24. SGPT – Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase
Heart and Lung Related Terms
25. CAD – Coronary Artery Disease
26. CHF – Congestive Heart Failure
27. COPD – Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
28. HTN – Hypertension
29. MI – Myocardial Infarction
30. TB – Tuberculosis
31. DVT – Deep Vein Thrombosis
32. ABG – Arterial Blood Gas
33. SPO2 – Saturation of Peripheral Oxygen
34. CXR – Chest X-Ray
35. CHF – Congestive Heart Failure
36. VSD – Ventricular Septal Defect
ALSO READ: 40+ Military Slangs And Jargons Used In War: Ceasefire, Check Fire And More
Body System & Reproductive Terms
37. CNS – Central Nervous System
38. PNS – Peripheral Nervous System
39. UTI – Urinary Tract Infection
40. IVF – In Vitro Fertilisation
41. IUI – Intrauterine Insemination
42. PCOD – Polycystic Ovarian Disease
43. PMS – Premenstrual Syndrome
44. BPH – Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
45. OB/GYN – Obstetrics and Gynaecology
46. HRT – Hormone Replacement Therapy
47. STD – Sexually Transmitted Disease
48. STI – Sexually Transmitted Infection