Neurology Abbreviations

This list collects 906 neurology abbreviations — brain, nerve and spine terms used in neurology notes, imaging requests and assessments. Every entry shows the full form and a plain-English meaning. One abbreviation can appear in several specialty lists when it is genuinely used in more than one area, and abbreviations with more than one common meaning get a row for each meaning. Terms flagged ⚠ Error-prone are on recognised error-prone lists: write them out in full wherever possible.

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Abbreviation	Full form	What it means	Used in
14-3-3	14-3-3 protein (CSF)	Prion disease spinal fluid marker	Neurology Laboratory Infectious Disease
3% saline	three percent saline (hypertonic)	Concentrated sodium infusion	Emergency & Critical Care Prescription & Medication Orders Neurology
3D-CAM	3-minute Diagnostic Confusion Assessment Method	Quick delirium assessment	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
4AT	4 A's test	Rapid delirium and cognition screening tool	Psychiatry Neurology Vitals & Assessment
9HPT	Nine-Hole Peg Test	MS hand dexterity test	Neurology
A&O x4	alert and oriented times four (person place time situation)	Full orientation documentation	Neurology Nursing General Medical
ABE	acute bilirubin encephalopathy	Acute brain effects of extreme jaundice	Pediatrics Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
Abeta42	amyloid beta 42 (CSF/blood)	Alzheimer marker peptide	Neurology Laboratory
ABR	auditory brainstem response (test)	Hearing pathway test — test	Neurology Pediatrics
absence	absence seizure (type)	Brief staring seizure — type	Neurology Pediatrics
ACA	anterior cerebral artery	Artery supplying the front inner part of the brain	Neurology
ACA anatomy	anterior cerebral artery (anatomy)	Artery feeding the front-inner brain	Neurology
ACDF	anterior cervical discectomy and fusion	Neck disc removal and fusion from the front	Surgery Neurology Musculoskeletal
ACE-III	Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III	Detailed bedside cognitive test	Neurology Psychiatry
AChR ab	acetylcholine receptor antibody	Main myasthenia gravis antibody	Neurology Laboratory
ACOM	anterior communicating artery	Small connecting artery at the brain front	Neurology
AD	Alzheimer disease	Progressive brain disease causing memory loss and dementia	Neurology Psychiatry
AD biomarkers	Alzheimer biomarkers (ATN)	Amyloid tau neurodegeneration framework markers	Neurology Laboratory
AD8	AD8 dementia screening interview	Eight-question informant dementia screen	Neurology Psychiatry
ADAS-Cog	Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale Cognitive	Cognition measure in dementia trials	Neurology Psychiatry
ADC	apparent diffusion coefficient	MRI map quantifying water diffusion, paired with DWI	Radiology & Imaging Neurology
ADEM	acute disseminated encephalomyelitis	Brief widespread immune inflammation of brain and cord	Neurology
adenoma sebaceum	facial angiofibromas (tuberous sclerosis)	Facial bumps of tuberous sclerosis	Pediatrics Neurology
Adie	Adie tonic pupil	Slow-reacting dilated pupil, usually benign	Neurology
AED	antiepileptic drug	Medicine class used to prevent seizures	Neurology Prescription & Medication Orders
aEEG	amplitude-integrated EEG (cerebral monitor)	Simplified brain monitor used in NICU	Pediatrics Neurology
AFO	ankle-foot orthosis (device)	Brace supporting the ankle — device	Musculoskeletal Neurology Nursing
AHT	abusive head trauma	Head injury in a child caused by abuse	Pediatrics Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
AICA	anterior inferior cerebellar artery	Artery feeding the front cerebellum	Neurology
AIDP	acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy	Acute immune damage to peripheral nerve coverings	Neurology
AIMS exam	Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (exam)	Movement side-effect check — examination	Psychiatry Neurology
AIN	anterior interosseous nerve	Deep branch of the median nerve	Neurology Musculoskeletal
AION	anterior ischemic optic neuropathy	Optic nerve head stroke	General Medical Neurology
ALS	amyotrophic lateral sclerosis	Progressive disease weakening muscles by damaging motor nerves	Neurology
ALSFRS	ALS Functional Rating Scale (score)	ALS function score — score	Neurology
ALSFRS-R	ALS Functional Rating Scale Revised	ALS function score	Neurology
AM child	abdominal migraine (childhood)	Episodic stomach pain migraine equivalent	Pediatrics Gastroenterology Neurology
AMAN	acute motor axonal neuropathy	Guillain-Barré variant damaging motor axons	Neurology
amblyopia	amblyopia (lazy eye)	Reduced vision from disuse in childhood	Pediatrics Neurology
AML kidney child	renal angiomyolipoma (tuberous)	Kidney fat-muscle tumor of tuberous sclerosis	Pediatrics Renal & Nephrology Neurology
AMS	altered mental status	Change in awareness, thinking or behaviour from usual	Neurology Psychiatry
AMTS	Abbreviated Mental Test Score	Short bedside test of memory and orientation	Neurology Psychiatry
amygdala	amygdala (anatomy)	Almond-shaped emotion center	Neurology Psychiatry
ancillary test	ancillary test (brain death)	Confirmatory test when the exam cannot be completed	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care Radiology & Imaging
Angelman	Angelman syndrome (neurodevelopmental)	Happy-puppet genetic developmental syndrome	Neurology Pediatrics
anisocoria	anisocoria (finding)	Unequal pupil sizes — finding	Neurology
ANNA	antineuronal nuclear antibody	Paraneoplastic antibody group in nerve syndromes	Laboratory Neurology
ANS	autonomic nervous system	Nerve system controlling automatic body functions	Neurology
anti-AChR	anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody	Antibody causing myasthenia gravis	Laboratory Neurology
anti-GQ1b	anti-GQ1b antibody (Miller Fisher)	Antibody of the eye-movement variant	Neurology Laboratory
anti-Hu	anti-Hu antibody	Paraneoplastic antibody linked to small cell lung cancer	Laboratory Neurology Hematology & Oncology
anti-MOG	anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody	Antibody in a demyelinating disease of brain and eyes	Laboratory Neurology
anti-MuSK	muscle-specific kinase antibody	Antibody found in a form of myasthenia gravis	Laboratory Neurology
anti-NMDA	anti-NMDA receptor antibody	Antibody causing autoimmune encephalitis	Laboratory Neurology Psychiatry
APD	afferent pupillary defect	Abnormal pupil response from optic nerve damage	General Medical Neurology
apnea test	apnea test (brain death)	Breathing test within brain death examination	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
APOE	apolipoprotein E	Gene influencing cholesterol and Alzheimer's risk	Laboratory Neurology Cardiology
AQP4	AQP4 antibody (neuromyelitis)	Water-channel antibody of NMOSD	Neurology Laboratory
AQP4	aquaporin-4 antibody	Antibody causing neuromyelitis optica	Laboratory Neurology
AQP4-IgG	aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G	Antibody defining neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder	Laboratory Neurology
aqueduct	cerebral aqueduct (anatomy)	Narrow channel connecting the ventricles	Neurology
ARAT	Action Research Arm Test	Arm function test after stroke	Neurology Musculoskeletal
ARBD	alcohol-related brain damage	Umbrella term for alcohol brain injury	Psychiatry Neurology
Argyll Robertson	Argyll Robertson pupil	Pupil reacting to near but not light, classically syphilis	Neurology Infectious Disease
AROM against gravity	active range of motion against gravity	Movement strength grade descriptor	Musculoskeletal Neurology
ASCO	ASCO classification (stroke)	Graded stroke cause classification	Neurology
ash leaf	ash leaf spots (tuberous sclerosis)	Pale leaf-shaped skin spots	Pediatrics Neurology
ASL	arterial spin labeling	MRI perfusion method using labeled blood, no contrast	Radiology & Imaging Neurology
ASPECTS	Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score	CT score estimating early stroke change	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
aspiration cath stroke	aspiration catheter (stroke device)	Vacuum catheter removing a brain clot	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
aspiration precautions	aspiration precautions (order)	Positioning and supervision preventing food entering the airway	Nursing Neurology
aspiration thromb	direct aspiration thrombectomy	Vacuum catheter removal of a clot	Neurology Radiology & Imaging Emergency & Critical Care
ASSR	auditory steady-state response	Frequency-specific hearing threshold test	Neurology Pediatrics
asterixis	asterixis (finding)	Flapping lapse of posture — finding	Neurology Gastroenterology
ataxia telang	ataxia telangiectasia (genetic)	Balance disorder with immune deficiency	Pediatrics Neurology Infectious Disease
ataxic CP	ataxic cerebral palsy (type)	Unsteady-movement cerebral palsy type	Pediatrics Neurology
athetosis	athetosis (movement)	Slow writhing movements	Neurology
ATL	anterior temporal lobectomy	Epilepsy operation removing the temporal lobe front	Surgery Neurology
atlantoaxial	atlantoaxial instability (Down)	Neck joint looseness screening in Down syndrome	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Neurology
ATN	amyloid tau neurodegeneration (framework)	Alzheimer research classification framework	Neurology Laboratory
ATNR	asymmetric tonic neck reflex	Fencing posture reflex of infants	Pediatrics Neurology
atonic seizure	atonic seizure (drop attack)	Sudden loss of muscle tone seizure	Neurology Pediatrics
ATTR	transthyretin amyloidosis	Protein deposit disease affecting heart and nerves	Cardiology Neurology
atypical absence	atypical absence seizure (type)	Slower staring seizure in developmental epilepsies	Neurology Pediatrics
autonomic testing	autonomic testing (battery)	Sweat, heart and blood pressure reflex testing	Neurology
AVM	arteriovenous malformation	Tangled cluster of abnormal blood vessels	Neurology
AVPU	alert voice pain unresponsive (scale)	Simple consciousness scale — scale	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care Nursing
axillary n	axillary nerve (anatomy)	Nerve to the shoulder cap muscle	Neurology Musculoskeletal
B12	vitamin B12	Vitamin measured in blood, needed for nerves and red cells	Laboratory Hematology & Oncology Neurology
BA	basilar artery	Artery formed in the brainstem supplying the back of the brain	Neurology
Babinski	Babinski sign (finding)	Upgoing toe response — finding	Neurology
baclofen pump	intrathecal baclofen (pump)	Spinal pump relaxing severe stiffness	Neurology Pediatrics Prescription & Medication Orders
BAER	brainstem auditory evoked response (test)	Hearing pathway electrical test — test	Neurology
ballismus	ballismus (movement)	Large flinging limb movements	Neurology
BAO	basilar artery occlusion	Brainstem artery blockage stroke	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care Radiology & Imaging
baseline testing	baseline neurocognitive testing (sports)	Pre-season thinking tests for comparison	Pediatrics Neurology
basilar	basilar artery	Joined vertebral arteries feeding the brainstem	Neurology
BAT score	BAT score (hematoma expansion)	Blend, black hole and timing expansion score	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
BBB	blood-brain barrier	Protective barrier between blood and brain tissue	Neurology
bCAM	brief Confusion Assessment Method (instrument)	Short delirium instrument	Emergency & Critical Care Neurology
BECTS	benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes	Self-limited childhood focal epilepsy	Neurology Pediatrics
BEHAVE-AD	Behavioral Pathology in Alzheimer Disease scale	Dementia behavior rating scale	Neurology Psychiatry
Bender	Bender Gestalt Test	Copying-figures visual motor test	Psychiatry Neurology
BESS	Balance Error Scoring System	Stance error concussion test	Pediatrics Neurology Musculoskeletal
BFCRS	Bush Francis Catatonia Rating Scale	Standard catatonia severity scale	Psychiatry Neurology
BG	basal ganglia (anatomy)	Deep brain movement-control structures	Neurology
BGC	balloon guide catheter (stroke)	Flow-arrest catheter used in thrombectomy	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
BIND score	bilirubin-induced neurologic dysfunction score	Examination score in severe jaundice	Pediatrics Neurology
blend sign	blend sign (hematoma)	Mixed-density bleed appearance predicting growth	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
blown pupil	blown pupil (fixed dilated)	One large unreactive pupil, an emergency sign	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
BMD	Becker muscular dystrophy	Inherited muscle disease, milder and later than Duchenne type	Musculoskeletal Neurology
BoNT	botulinum neurotoxin (spasticity)	Stiffness-relaxing injections — spasticity	Neurology Prescription & Medication Orders Musculoskeletal
borderzone	borderzone infarct (watershed)	Alternate term for a watershed stroke	Neurology
BPPV	benign paroxysmal positional vertigo	Brief spinning dizziness triggered by head position	General Medical Neurology
BPPV vertigo	benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (ear)	Brief spinning triggered by head position — ear	General Medical Neurology
brachial plexus anatomy	brachial plexus (anatomy)	Nerve network supplying the arm — anatomy	Neurology Musculoskeletal
brain death exam	brain death examination (determination)	Formal examination declaring death by brain criteria	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
Brandt-Daroff	Brandt-Daroff exercises (vertigo)	Home habituation exercises for vertigo	Neurology Nursing
breath-holding	breath-holding spells (toddler)	Crying-triggered brief apnea and color change	Pediatrics Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
bridging veins	bridging vein rupture (head injury)	Torn surface veins causing subdural bleeding	Pediatrics Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
BRIEF	Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function	Executive function rating inventory	Psychiatry Pediatrics Neurology
BRIEF-A	BRIEF Adult Version	Adult executive function self-report	Psychiatry Neurology
bulbar onset	bulbar-onset ALS (type)	ALS starting with speech and swallowing	Neurology
burr hole	burr hole drainage (procedure)	Small skull hole draining a blood collection	Surgery Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
bvFTD	behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia	Behavior-first frontotemporal dementia	Neurology Psychiatry
CADASIL	cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy	Inherited small-vessel brain disease causing strokes and dementia	Neurology
CAE	childhood absence epilepsy	School-age staring seizure syndrome	Neurology Pediatrics
cafe-au-lait	café-au-lait macules (count)	Coffee-colored spots counted in genetic checks	Pediatrics Neurology
CAG repeat	CAG repeat (genetic)	Huntington gene expansion length	Neurology Laboratory
callosotomy	corpus callosotomy	Cutting the brain bridge fibers for drop seizures	Surgery Neurology
calorics	caloric testing (vestibular)	Water-in-ear balance testing	Neurology
CAM	Confusion Assessment Method	Bedside method detecting delirium	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care Nursing
CAM-ICU	Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU	Delirium detection method for intensive care patients	Emergency & Critical Care Neurology Nursing
Canadian CT Head Rule	Canadian CT Head Rule	Head CT decision rule for adults	Emergency & Critical Care Neurology Radiology & Imaging
canalith	c analith repositioning (procedure)	Moving ear crystals out of a canal	Neurology
Capgras	Capgras delusion (impostor)	Belief a familiar person was replaced	Psychiatry Neurology
carotid bulb	carotid bulb (bifurcation)	Widening where the carotid splits	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
carotid sinus	carotid sinus syncope (hypersensitivity)	Fainting from neck pressure sensitivity	Cardiology Neurology
carotid stent	carotid artery stenting	Stent opening a narrowed neck artery	Surgery Neurology Cardiology Radiology & Imaging
carotid web	carotid web (shelf lesion)	Membrane shelf in the neck artery causing strokes	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
carpal tunnel release	carpal tunnel release (procedure)	Cutting the wrist ligament freeing the nerve	Surgery Neurology Musculoskeletal
CAS	childhood apraxia of speech	Speech motor planning disorder	Pediatrics Neurology
CASPR2	CASPR2 antibody (encephalitis)	Autoimmune encephalitis antibody target	Neurology Laboratory
catatonia	catatonia (psych)	Motor-behavior syndrome with mutism or posturing — psychiatric	Psychiatry Neurology
cauda equina anatomy	cauda equina (anatomy)	Bundle of nerve roots below the cord — anatomy	Neurology
caudate	caudate nucleus (anatomy)	Curved basal ganglia structure	Neurology
causalgia	causalgia (CRPS type II)	Burning pain after a nerve injury	Neurology Musculoskeletal
cav sinus	cavernous sinus (venous)	Vein network beside the pituitary	Neurology
cavernous thrombosis	cavernous sinus thrombosis (infection)	Infected clot in the eye-side vein network	Neurology Infectious Disease Emergency & Critical Care
Cawthorne	Cawthorne-Cooksey exercises (vestibular)	Vestibular rehabilitation exercise set	Neurology Nursing
CBD neuro	corticobasal degeneration (diagnosis)	Asymmetric Parkinson-plus degeneration	Neurology
CBT-I	CBT for insomnia	Structured sleep therapy program	Psychiatry Neurology
CBZ level	carbamazepine level (monitoring)	Blood level check for carbamazepine	Neurology Laboratory Prescription & Medication Orders
CC anatomy	corpus callosum (anatomy)	Bridge connecting the brain halves	Neurology
CCHR	Canadian CT Head Rule	Decision rule for head CT after minor head injury	Emergency & Critical Care Radiology & Imaging Neurology
CCS	Causative Classification of Stroke	Refined stroke cause system	Neurology
CDP	computerized dynamic posturography	Balance platform testing	Neurology Musculoskeletal
CDR	Clinical Dementia Rating	Dementia severity staging scale	Neurology Psychiatry
CDR-SB	Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes	Dementia severity total used in trials	Neurology Psychiatry
cEEG	continuous electroencephalogram	Ongoing brain wave recording over a long period	Neurology
central pain	central post-stroke pain	Pain from stroke-damaged pathways	Neurology
cerebellar vermis	vermis (cerebellar anatomy)	Midline strip of the cerebellum	Neurology
cerebral edema child	cerebral edema (head injury)	Brain swelling after head injury	Pediatrics Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
cervical ADR	cervical artificial disc replacement	Motion-preserving neck disc implant	Surgery Neurology Musculoskeletal
CFCS	Communication Function Classification System	Cerebral palsy communication level system	Pediatrics Neurology
CH	cluster headache	Severe one-sided headache occurring in repeated clusters	Neurology
Chaddock	Chaddock sign (reflex)	Side-of-foot stroke eliciting an upgoing toe	Neurology
channelopathy	channelopathy (ion channel group)	Diseases of electrical membrane channels	Neurology Cardiology
chemodenervation	chemodenervation (procedure)	Chemical nerve block relaxing muscles — procedure	Neurology Musculoskeletal
Child SCAT	Child SCAT (concussion tool)	Under-13 concussion evaluation tool	Pediatrics Neurology
chorea	chorea (finding)	Flowing dance-like movements — finding	Neurology
chorea Sydenham	Sydenham chorea (rheumatic)	Jerky movements of rheumatic fever	Pediatrics Neurology
choroid plexus anatomy	choroid plexus (anatomy)	Tissue making spinal fluid — anatomy	Neurology
chronic migraine	chronic migraine (frequency)	Headache on 15 or more days a month — frequency	Neurology
CIDP	chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy	Long-term immune damage to peripheral nerve coverings	Neurology
cingulate	cingulate cortex (anatomy)	Midline brain region for emotion and pain	Neurology
CIS	clinically isolated syndrome	First single episode suggesting possible multiple sclerosis	Neurology
CIS neuro	clinically isolated syndrome (MS)	First demyelinating event — MS	Neurology
CISS	constructive interference in steady state	High-resolution MRI of cisterns and cranial nerves	Radiology & Imaging Neurology
CJD	Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease	Rare fatal prion disease causing rapid dementia	Neurology Infectious Disease
clipping	aneurysm clipping (surgical)	Metal clip closing a brain aneurysm neck	Surgery Neurology
clock draw	clock drawing test (cognitive)	Drawing task screening for cognitive problems	Neurology Psychiatry
clonic seizure	clonic seizure (type)	Rhythmic jerking seizure type	Neurology
clonus	clonus (finding)	Rhythmic reflex bouncing — finding	Neurology
cluster	cluster headache (diagnosis)	Excruciating grouped one-sided headache — diagnosis	Neurology
CMAI-SF	Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory Short Form	Brief agitation scale	Psychiatry Neurology
CMD	congenital muscular dystrophy	Muscle disease present from birth	Pediatrics Neurology Musculoskeletal
CMS genetic	congenital myasthenic syndromes	Inherited junction weakness group	Neurology Pediatrics
CMT	Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease	Inherited nerve disease weakening feet, legs and hands	Neurology
CMV congenital	congenital CMV (infection)	Cytomegalovirus infection at birth	Pediatrics Infectious Disease Neurology
CN II-XII	cranial nerves two through twelve (exam phrase)	Cranial nerve examination summary phrase	Neurology Nursing
coiling	aneurysm coiling (endovascular)	Platinum coils filling a brain aneurysm via catheter	Surgery Neurology Radiology & Imaging
cold calorics	cold caloric testing (brainstem)	Ice water ear test of brainstem reflexes	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
collaterals	collateral circulation (stroke imaging)	Backup blood routes around a blockage	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
concussion	sports concussion (management)	Head impact brain injury — sports	Pediatrics Neurology Musculoskeletal Emergency & Critical Care
conus	conus medullaris (anatomy)	Tapered end of the spinal cord	Neurology
conversion	conversion disorder (functional neurological)	Neurological symptoms from brain function change	Psychiatry Neurology
convulsive syncope	convulsive syncope (mimic)	Fainting with brief jerking movements	Neurology Cardiology Emergency & Critical Care
cord sign	cord sign (sinus thrombosis)	Dense clot line on a brain scan	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
core	ischemic core (imaging)	Dead tissue area on stroke imaging	Neurology Radiology & Imaging Emergency & Critical Care
corneal reflex exam	corneal reflex (examination)	Blink reflex testing the brainstem — exam	Neurology
corpectomy	corpectomy (vertebral body removal)	Removing a vertebral body and rebuilding the column	Surgery Neurology
Cotard	Cotard delusion (nihilistic)	Belief of being dead or nonexistent	Psychiatry Neurology
cough headache	primary cough headache (type)	Headache triggered by coughing or straining	Neurology
cough reflex exam	cough reflex (examination)	Cough response testing the brainstem — exam	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
cough syncope	cough syncope (situational)	Fainting after hard coughing	Cardiology Neurology Respiratory
CP	cerebral palsy	Group of conditions affecting movement and posture from early brain injury	Pediatrics Neurology
CPC	choroid plexus cauterization	Burning fluid-producing tissue in infant hydrocephalus	Surgery Neurology Pediatrics
CPM	central pontine myelinolysis	Damage to the nerve covering in the central pons	Neurology
CPM pontine	central pontine myelinolysis (older term)	Brainstem form of osmotic injury	Neurology Renal & Nephrology
CPN	common peroneal nerve (common fibular)	Nerve wrapping the fibula head, causing foot drop when injured	Neurology Musculoskeletal
CPP	cerebral perfusion pressure	Pressure pushing blood through the brain	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
CrAg	cryptococcal antigen	Rapid test for cryptococcal infection	Laboratory Infectious Disease Neurology
craniectomy	decompressive craniectomy	Removing skull bone to relieve brain swelling	Surgery Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
craniopharyngioma	craniopharyngioma (diagnosis)	Pituitary-area child tumor	Pediatrics Neurology Endocrinology Hematology & Oncology
cranioplasty	cranioplasty (skull reconstruction)	Rebuilding a skull defect	Surgery Neurology
CRP	canalith repositioning procedure ()	Crystal-moving vertigo procedure	Neurology
CRPS	complex regional pain syndrome	Long-lasting limb pain after injury, with colour and temperature changes	Neurology Musculoskeletal
cryptogenic	cryptogenic stroke (term)	Stroke without a found cause	Neurology Cardiology
CSE	convulsive status epilepticus	Continuous convulsing seizure emergency	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
CSF	cerebrospinal fluid	Clear fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord	Neurology Laboratory
CSF analysis	CSF analysis (profile)	Spinal fluid test panel — profile	Neurology Laboratory
CSF VDRL	CSF Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test	Spinal fluid syphilis test	Laboratory Infectious Disease Neurology
CSI	craniospinal irradiation	Radiation to brain and spine	Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging Neurology
CSVT	cerebral sinus venous thrombosis	Clot in a major brain vein channel	Neurology
CSWS	continuous spike-wave in sleep (epilepsy)	Sleep-activated EEG epilepsy syndrome	Neurology Pediatrics
CTE	chronic traumatic encephalopathy (concern)	Repetitive impact brain degeneration	Neurology Psychiatry
CTH	computed tomography head	CT scan of the head and brain	Radiology & Imaging Neurology
CTP	computed tomography perfusion	CT mapping of tissue blood flow, used in stroke	Radiology & Imaging Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
CTS	carpal tunnel syndrome	Hand numbness and tingling from a compressed wrist nerve	Musculoskeletal Neurology
cubital release	cubital tunnel release	Freeing the elbow's ulnar nerve	Surgery Musculoskeletal Neurology
Cushing triad	Cushing triad (sign)	High pressure, slow pulse, irregular breathing — sign	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
CV2	CV2/CRMP5 antibody (paraneoplastic)	Paraneoplastic antibody target	Neurology Laboratory
CVA	cerebrovascular accident	A stroke, interrupted blood flow to the brain	Neurology
cVEMP	cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential	Balance organ test using neck muscle response	General Medical Neurology
CVS	cyclic vomiting syndrome (episodes)	Recurrent intense vomiting episodes with well intervals	Pediatrics Gastroenterology Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
CVT	cerebral venous thrombosis	Blood clot in a vein draining the brain	Neurology
CVT	sinovenous thrombosis (cerebral)	Clot in the brain's vein channels	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
cyanotic spells child	cyanotic breath-holding spells	Anger-triggered blue breath-holding of toddlers	Pediatrics Neurology
DAI	diffuse axonal injury	Widespread tearing of brain nerve fibres after trauma	Neurology
DaTscan	DaTscan (imaging)	Dopamine transporter scan — imaging	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
DaTscan	dopamine transporter scan	Brain scan supporting Parkinson diagnosis	Radiology & Imaging Neurology
DBS	deep brain stimulation	Implanted device sending electrical pulses to brain areas	Neurology
DBS implant	deep brain stimulator implantation	Implanting brain electrodes for movement disorders	Surgery Neurology
DCI	delayed cerebral ischemia (after SAH)	Delayed brain injury from post-bleed narrowing	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
DDNC	death by neurologic criteria (term)	Formal term for brain death	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
decerebrate	decerebrate posturing (arms extended)	Extended-arm posture of severe brain injury	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
decompressive	decompressive hemicraniectomy (stroke surgery)	Skull removal for stroke swelling	Neurology Surgery Emergency & Critical Care
decorticate	decorticate posturing (arms flexed)	Flexed-arm posture of severe brain injury	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
defecation syncope	defecation syncope (situational)	Fainting during bowel movements	Cardiology Neurology
delayed OH	delayed orthostatic hypotension	Pressure drop after several minutes standing	Neurology Cardiology
dentate ligament	denticulate ligament (anatomy)	Cord-anchoring membrane teeth	Neurology
dentate nucleus	dentate nucleus (anatomy)	Largest deep cerebellar nucleus	Neurology
developmental care	developmental care (NICU model)	Light, sound and positioning care protecting preterm brains	Pediatrics Nursing Neurology
dialysis disequilibrium	dialysis disequilibrium syndrome	Brain swelling from a too-fast first dialysis	Renal & Nephrology Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
diffuse injury child	hypoxic-ischemic injury (infant)	Oxygen-lack brain injury pattern — infant	Pediatrics Neurology
digit span	digit span (cognitive)	Number repetition testing working memory	Neurology Psychiatry
disc edema	optic disc edema	Swelling of the optic nerve head	General Medical Neurology
discectomy	discectomy (procedure)	Removing a herniated disc portion	Surgery Neurology Musculoskeletal
DISCUS	Dyskinesia Identification System Condensed User Scale	Movement side-effect screening scale	Psychiatry Neurology
Dix	Dix-Hallpike maneuver (test)	Positioning test for BPPV — test	Neurology
DLB	dementia with Lewy bodies	Dementia with Lewy body deposits, fluctuations and hallucinations	Neurology Psychiatry
DLD	developmental language disorder	Persistent language learning difficulty	Pediatrics Neurology Psychiatry
DM1	myotonic dystrophy type 1	Muscle stiffness and multisystem genetic disease	Neurology Endocrinology Musculoskeletal
DMD	Duchenne muscular dystrophy	Inherited disease causing progressive muscle weakness in childhood	Neurology Musculoskeletal Pediatrics
DMT	disease-modifying therapy	Treatment that changes the long-term course of a disease	Neurology
DMTs class	disease-modifying therapies (class)	Course-changing drug class — class	Neurology Prescription & Medication Orders
DN4	Douleur Neuropathique 4	Screening questionnaire for nerve pain	Neurology Vitals & Assessment
DNT	door-to-needle time (stroke metric)	Arrival to clot-dissolver time	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
doll's eyes	oculocephalic reflex (doll's eyes)	Eye reflex testing brainstem function	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
door-in-door-out	door-in door-out time (transfer metric)	Time to transfer a stroke patient onward	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
DOS	Delirium Observation Screening scale	Nurse-observation delirium scale	Neurology Nursing
downbeat	downbeat nystagmus (type)	Downward-beating eye oscillation	Neurology
DPN	diabetic peripheral neuropathy	Nerve damage in feet and hands related to diabetes	Neurology Endocrinology
DPN nerve	deep peroneal nerve (deep fibular)	Front lower-leg nerve lifting the foot	Neurology Musculoskeletal
DPT	door-to-puncture time (stroke metric)	Arrival to catheter start time	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care Radiology & Imaging
Dravet	Dravet syndrome (epilepsy)	Fever-sensitive genetic epilepsy of infancy	Neurology Pediatrics
DRS-R-98	Delirium Rating Scale Revised-98	Delirium severity scale	Psychiatry Neurology
DSA	digital subtraction angiography	X-ray imaging of blood vessels using contrast	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
DSC	dynamic susceptibility contrast	Perfusion MRI technique using a contrast bolus	Radiology & Imaging Neurology
DSPN	distal symmetric polyneuropathy	Nerve damage of feet and hands, often from diabetes	Endocrinology Neurology
DSRS	Dementia Severity Rating Scale	Informant dementia severity scale	Neurology
DTI	diffusion tensor imaging	MRI mapping white matter tracts	Radiology & Imaging Neurology
DTR	deep tendon reflex	Reflex tested by tapping a tendon	Neurology Vitals & Assessment
DTR grade	deep tendon reflex grade	Reflex grading from 0 to 4+	Neurology Vitals & Assessment
DTs	delirium tremens	Severe alcohol withdrawal with confusion, agitation and tremor	Psychiatry Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
DWI	diffusion-weighted imaging	MRI technique sensitive to early stroke changes	Radiology & Imaging Neurology
DWI lesion	diffusion lesion (MRI)	Fresh stroke area on MRI	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
dyskinetic CP	dyskinetic cerebral palsy (type)	Writhing-movement cerebral palsy type	Pediatrics Neurology
dyslexia	dyslexia (reading disorder)	Word-reading learning disorder	Pediatrics Psychiatry Neurology
dystonia movement	dystonia (movement)	Sustained twisting postures — movement	Neurology
ECA	external carotid artery	Neck artery to the face and scalp	Neurology General Medical
ECOG test	electrocochleography (Meniere test)	Ear electrical test supporting Meniere disease	Neurology
ECT	electroconvulsive therapy	Controlled electrical treatment given under anaesthesia	Neurology Psychiatry
EDACS	Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System	Cerebral palsy eating safety levels	Pediatrics Neurology
EDH	epidural hematoma	Blood collecting between the skull and the brain covering	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
EDSS	Expanded Disability Status Scale	Score of disability in multiple sclerosis	Neurology
EEG	electroencephalogram	Recording of the brain's electrical activity	Neurology
ELD	external lumbar drainage (NPH trial)	Multi-day fluid drainage trial for NPH	Neurology Surgery
EMG	electromyography	Test of electrical activity in muscles	Neurology Musculoskeletal
empty delta	empty delta sign (sinus thrombosis)	Scan sign of a vein channel clot	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
EMU	epilepsy monitoring unit	Hospital unit classifying seizures	Neurology
ENG	electronystagmography (test)	Eye movement recording for balance testing	Neurology
EOM	extraocular movements	Movements of the eyes in all directions	General Medical Vitals & Assessment Neurology
EOM pain	pain on eye movement	Symptom suggesting optic nerve or orbital inflammation	General Medical Neurology
EOMI	extraocular movements intact	Eye movements are normal in all directions	Neurology
ependymoma	ependymoma (diagnosis)	Brain tumor arising from canal lining	Pediatrics Neurology Hematology & Oncology
Epley	Epley maneuver (treatment)	Repositioning treatment for BPPV — treatment	Neurology
EPS	extrapyramidal symptoms	Movement side effects such as stiffness, tremor and restlessness	Psychiatry Neurology
ERG	electroretinogram	Electrical test of retinal function	General Medical Laboratory Neurology
ESES	electrical status epilepticus in sleep	Older name for sleep-activated epilepsy activity	Neurology Pediatrics
ESETT trial	ESETT (established status trial)	Trial comparing second-line status medicines	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
esotropia	esotropia (inward deviation)	Inward-turning eye	Pediatrics Neurology
ESS score	Epworth sleepiness scale	A questionnaire scoring daytime sleepiness	Neurology Vitals & Assessment Respiratory
ESUS	embolic stroke of undetermined source	Stroke pattern suggesting hidden embolism	Neurology Cardiology
ET	essential tremor	Common tremor mainly affecting the hands during action	Neurology
eTICI	expanded thrombolysis in cerebral infarction	Finer flow restoration grading	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
ETV	endoscopic third ventriculostomy	Scope procedure creating a fluid bypass in the brain	Surgery Neurology Pediatrics
EV-D68	enterovirus D68	Enterovirus linked to severe respiratory illness and weakness in children	Infectious Disease Pediatrics Neurology
EVD	external ventricular drain	Tube draining fluid from the brain ventricles	Surgery Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
EVD placement	external ventricular drain placement	Inserting a brain fluid drain	Surgery Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
EVT	endovascular thrombectomy	Catheter procedure removing a clot from a brain artery	Neurology
exertional headache	primary exercise headache (type)	Headache triggered by exercise	Neurology
exotropia	exotropia (outward deviation)	Outward-turning eye	Pediatrics Neurology
FAB	Frontal Assessment Battery	Brief frontal lobe bedside battery	Neurology Psychiatry
Fabry	Fabry disease (lysosomal)	Pain and organ storage disorder	Pediatrics Laboratory Renal & Nephrology Neurology
facetectomy	facetectomy (facet removal)	Removing a spinal facet joint portion	Surgery Neurology
Fahn	Fahn-Tolosa-Marin tremor scale	Tremor severity rating scale	Neurology
falx	falx cerebri (anatomy)	Sickle-shaped fold between the brain halves	Neurology
FAQ cog	Functional Activities Questionnaire (cognitive)	Informant rating of daily function in dementia	Neurology Psychiatry
fasciculation	fasciculation (finding)	Visible muscle twitch — finding	Neurology
FAST	face, arms, speech, time	Stroke recognition prompt used publicly	Emergency & Critical Care Neurology
FAST	Functional Assessment Staging (dementia)	Alzheimer staging scale — dementia	Neurology Psychiatry
FAST scale	Functional Assessment Staging Tool	Functional staging in Alzheimer disease	Neurology Psychiatry
FBTCS	focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizure	Seizure starting in one area then generalizing	Neurology
femoral n	femoral nerve (anatomy)	Main front thigh nerve	Neurology Musculoskeletal
filum	filum terminale (anatomy)	Thread anchoring the cord's end	Neurology
FIM	Functional Independence Measure	Rehabilitation disability score	Neurology Musculoskeletal Nursing
FIRES	febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome	Explosive status after a febrile illness in children	Neurology Pediatrics Emergency & Critical Care
first pass	first pass effect (thrombectomy)	Complete reopening on the first device pass	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
FLAIR	fluid-attenuated inversion recovery	MRI sequence suppressing fluid signal	Radiology & Imaging Neurology
FLAIR mismatch	DWI-FLAIR mismatch (stroke timing)	Scan pattern suggesting an early stroke	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
flow diverter	flow diversion (aneurysm)	Stent redirecting flow away from an aneurysm	Surgery Neurology Radiology & Imaging
fMRI	functional magnetic resonance imaging	MRI showing brain activity through blood flow	Radiology & Imaging Neurology
FND	functional neurological disorder	Real neurological symptoms without a structural disease cause	Neurology Psychiatry
focal aware	focal aware seizure (type)	Seizure with preserved awareness	Neurology
focal impaired	focal impaired awareness seizure (type)	Seizure with altered awareness	Neurology
foraminotomy	foraminotomy (nerve exit widening)	Enlarging the nerve exit hole in the spine	Surgery Neurology
FOUR	Full Outline of UnResponsiveness (score)	Coma score including brainstem — score	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
FOUR score	Full Outline of UnResponsiveness score	Coma score usable in intubated patients	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care Vitals & Assessment
fourth nerve palsy	fourth nerve palsy (finding)	Vertical double vision with head tilt	Neurology
fourth ventricle	fourth ventricle (anatomy)	Fluid space in front of the cerebellum	Neurology
FPE abbrev	first pass effect (FPE abbreviation)	Single-pass success — abbreviation	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
fragile X	fragile X syndrome (genetic)	Commonest inherited intellectual disability	Pediatrics Neurology Psychiatry
FRDA	Friedreich ataxia	Commonest inherited ataxia	Neurology Pediatrics
Fregoli	Fregoli delusion (disguise)	Belief strangers are one familiar person in disguise	Psychiatry Neurology
frontal lobe	frontal lobe (anatomy)	Front brain region for planning and personality	Neurology
FSHD	facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy	Face shoulder and arm muscle disease	Neurology Musculoskeletal
FTD	frontotemporal dementia	Dementia mainly affecting behaviour, personality or language	Neurology Psychiatry
Fukuda	Fukuda stepping test (vestibular)	Alternate name for the stepping test	Neurology
GABA-B	GABA-B receptor antibody	Autoimmune encephalitis antibody	Neurology Laboratory
gag reflex exam	gag reflex (examination)	Throat reflex testing the brainstem — exam	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
Galant	Galant reflex (trunk incurvation)	Side-bending reflex of newborns	Pediatrics Neurology
gaze stability	gaze stabilization exercises	Head-eye exercises improving balance reflex	Neurology
gaze-evoked	gaze-evoked nystagmus (type)	Eye oscillation appearing on side gaze	Neurology
GBM	glioblastoma multiforme	Fast-growing malignant brain tumour	Neurology Hematology & Oncology
GBS	Guillain-Barré syndrome	Immune attack on peripheral nerves causing ascending weakness	Neurology
GBS variants	Guillain-Barré variants (AMAN/AMSAN)	Motor-predominant Guillain-Barré forms	Neurology
GCA	giant cell arteritis	Inflammation of large arteries, often in the temple	Neurology Musculoskeletal
GCS	Glasgow Coma Scale	Score assessing level of consciousness	Emergency & Critical Care Neurology
GCS eye	Glasgow Coma Scale eye component	Eye-opening part of the coma score	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care Vitals & Assessment
GCS motor	Glasgow Coma Scale motor component	Movement part of the coma score	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care Vitals & Assessment
GCS verbal	Glasgow Coma Scale verbal component	Speech part of the coma score	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care Vitals & Assessment
GDD	global developmental delay	Significant delay in several areas of development in a young child	Pediatrics Neurology
GDS	Global Deterioration Scale (dementia staging)	Seven-stage dementia scale — staging	Neurology Psychiatry
genitofemoral n	genitofemoral nerve	Groin and genital skin nerve	Neurology
GFAP	glial fibrillary acidic protein	Brain injury and Alzheimer blood marker	Neurology Laboratory
global delay	global developmental delay (term)	Delay across all developmental areas	Pediatrics Neurology Psychiatry
glossopharyngeal	glossopharyngeal neuralgia (throat pain)	Throat and ear shock-like pain	Neurology
GMFCS	Gross Motor Function Classification System	Cerebral palsy mobility level system	Pediatrics Neurology Musculoskeletal
Go/No-Go	go/no-go test (impulsivity)	Response inhibition test	Neurology Psychiatry
GP	globus pallidus (anatomy)	Inner basal ganglia structure	Neurology
GPCOG	General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition	Primary care cognitive screen	Neurology Psychiatry
grimace	grimace (response element)	Facial response to pain in coma scoring	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
GTC	generalized tonic-clonic seizure (type)	Full convulsion seizure type	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
GTCS	generalized tonic-clonic seizure	Seizure with stiffening and jerking of the whole body	Neurology
HA	headache	Pain in the head	General Medical Neurology
habituation	habituation exercises (vestibular)	Repeated movements reducing vertigo sensitivity	Neurology
HD	Huntington disease	Inherited brain disease causing movement, thinking and mood changes	Neurology Psychiatry
HE	hepatic encephalopathy	Brain dysfunction caused by liver failure	Gastroenterology Neurology
head circumference	occipitofrontal circumference (measurement)	Head size measurement — measurement	Pediatrics Neurology Nursing
head impulse	head impulse test (vestibular)	Quick head turn testing the balance reflex	Neurology
head lag	head lag (development sign)	Head flopping back when pulled to sit	Pediatrics Neurology
hearing loss child	senso rineural hearing loss (childhood)	Inner ear hearing loss of childhood	Pediatrics Neurology
hemiplegic migraine	hemiplegic migraine (type)	Migraine with temporary one-sided weakness	Neurology
hemispherotomy	hemispherotomy (epilepsy surgery)	Disconnecting a brain hemisphere for severe epilepsy	Surgery Neurology Pediatrics
hemorrhagic transformation	hemorrhagic transformation (stroke complication)	Bleeding into a stroke area	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
hepatic enceph	hepatic encephalopathy (psych presentation)	Confusion from liver failure presenting psychiatrically	Psychiatry Gastroenterology Neurology
herniation types	herniation syndromes (uncal/subfalcine/tonsillar)	Brain shift emergency types	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care Surgery
HIE	hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy	Brain injury in a newborn from lack of oxygen and blood flow	Pediatrics Neurology
HINTS	Head Impulse Nystagmus Test of Skew	Bedside exam distinguishing central from peripheral vertigo	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
HINTS exam	HINTS examination (head impulse nystagmus test of skew)	Bedside vertigo examination distinguishing stroke	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
hippocampus	hippocampus (anatomy)	Curved memory structure in the temporal lobe	Neurology
HIT-6	Headache Impact Test	Six-question headache impact score	Neurology
HKAFO	hip-knee-ankle-foot orthosis	Full leg and hip brace	Musculoskeletal Neurology
HNP	herniated nucleus pulposus	A spinal disc bulging out through its outer layer	Musculoskeletal Neurology
Hoffmann	Hoffmann sign (reflex)	Finger flick reflex suggesting upper motor disease	Neurology
honey-thick	honey-thick liquids	Thickened fluid consistency for safe swallowing	Nursing Neurology
Horners	Horner syndrome (sign group)	Small pupil, droopy lid and dry face on one side	Neurology
HSV PCR	herpes simplex virus PCR	Swab or fluid test for herpes infection	Laboratory Infectious Disease Neurology
Hu ab	anti-Hu antibody (paraneoplastic)	Paraneoplastic neurological antibody	Neurology Laboratory Hematology & Oncology
Huntington scale	UHDRS (Unified Huntington Disease Rating Scale)	Huntington disease assessment scale	Neurology
HY stage	Hoehn and Yahr stage (numbered)	Parkinson stage number in charting	Neurology
hydrocephalus acute	acute hydrocephalus (complication)	Rapid fluid build-up after bleeding	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care Surgery
hyperactive delirium	hyperactive delirium (subtype)	Agitated delirium subtype	Neurology Psychiatry Emergency & Critical Care
hyperPP	hyperkalemic periodic paralysis	High-potassium episodic weakness	Neurology
hypertonic saline	hypertonic saline (treatment)	Concentrated salt for brain swelling or very low sodium — treatment	Emergency & Critical Care Neurology Prescription & Medication Orders
hypertropia	hypertropia (vertical deviation)	Upward-turning eye	Pediatrics Neurology
hypnic	hypnic headache (alarm clock)	Headache waking from sleep in older adults	Neurology
hypoactive delirium	hypoactive delirium (subtype)	Quiet withdrawn delirium subtype	Neurology Psychiatry Emergency & Critical Care
hypoPP	hypokalemic periodic paralysis	Low-potassium episodic weakness	Neurology
hypothalamus	hypothalamus (anatomy)	Brain control center for hormones and body functions	Neurology Endocrinology
hypsarrhythmia	hypsarrhythmia (EEG pattern)	Chaotic EEG pattern of infantile spasms	Neurology Pediatrics
HZ	herpes zoster	Medical term for shingles	Infectious Disease Neurology
IBM	inclusion body myositis	Slowly progressive muscle disease mainly in older adults	Musculoskeletal Neurology
IC anatomy	internal capsule (anatomy)	White matter highway in the deep brain	Neurology
ICA anatomy	internal carotid artery (anatomy)	Neck artery to the brain — anatomy	Neurology General Medical
ICARS	International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale	Detailed ataxia rating scale	Neurology
ICDSC	Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist	ICU delirium checklist	Emergency & Critical Care Neurology
ice test	ice pack test (myasthenia)	Cold improving a droopy lid in myasthenia	Neurology
ICH	intracerebral hemorrhage	Bleeding inside the brain tissue itself	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
ICH score	ICH score (prognosis)	Brain bleed outcome score — prognosis	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
ICHD	International Classification of Headache Disorders	Standard headache diagnosis framework	Neurology
ICP	intracranial pressure	Pressure inside the skull	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
IDDSI	International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative	Global framework for food and drink texture levels	Nursing Neurology General Medical
IgG index	immunoglobulin G index (CSF)	Ratio supporting MS diagnosis	Neurology Laboratory
IIH	idiopathic intracranial hypertension	Raised pressure in the skull without a found cause	Neurology
IIH eye	idiopathic intracranial hypertension (eye findings)	Raised brain pressure threatening vision	Neurology General Medical
ILAE	International League Against Epilepsy	Body classifying seizures and epilepsies	Neurology General Medical
ilioinguinal n	ilioinguinal nerve	Groin skin nerve at risk in hernia surgery	Neurology Surgery
ImPACT	ImPACT (computerized concussion test)	Computer concussion battery brand	Pediatrics Neurology
infantile spasms	infantile spasms (epilepsy)	Infant seizure type with developmental risk	Neurology Pediatrics
initial OH	initial orthostatic hypotension	Brief pressure drop immediately on standing	Neurology Cardiology
INO	internuclear ophthalmoplegia (finding)	Eye movement disconnect from a brainstem lesion — finding	Neurology
insula	insular cortex (anatomy)	Deep folded brain region	Neurology
interhemispheric	interhemispheric subdural (abuse pattern)	Blood along the midline in inflicted injury	Pediatrics Neurology Radiology & Imaging
IP H	intraparenchymal hemorrhage (term)	Bleeding within brain tissue	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
IQCODE	Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline	Informant-based cognitive decline screen	Neurology Psychiatry
ischemic monomelic	ischemic monomelic neuropathy (access)	Nerve injury after access creation without obvious steal signs	Renal & Nephrology Neurology Surgery
ISI	Insomnia Severity Index	Insomnia questionnaire	Psychiatry Neurology
ISS	inferior sagittal sinus	Vein channel along the lower midline brain fold	Neurology
IT	intrathecal	Into the spinal canal, describing a medicine route	Prescription & Medication Orders Neurology
IT pump	intrathecal pump (implant)	Implanted pump delivering spinal medication	Surgery Neurology
IVH	intraventricular hemorrhage	Bleeding into the fluid spaces of a premature baby's brain	Pediatrics Neurology
IVH neuro	intraventricular hemorrhage (adult)	Bleeding into the brain fluid spaces — adult	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
IVIG	intravenous immune globulin (treatment)	Antibody infusion treatment — treatment	Pediatrics Prescription & Medication Orders Neurology Infectious Disease
IVT	intravenous thrombolysis (stroke)	Clot-dissolving stroke treatment — treatment	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care Prescription & Medication Orders
jaw claudication	jaw claudication (symptom)	Jaw pain when chewing from artery inflammation	Neurology General Medical
JCV	JC virus (antibody/PML)	Virus linked to PML brain infection	Neurology Laboratory Infectious Disease
JCV index	JC virus antibody index	PML risk measure on natalizumab	Neurology Laboratory Prescription & Medication Orders
JME	juvenile myoclonic epilepsy	Teenage morning jerk epilepsy syndrome	Neurology Pediatrics
KAFO	knee-ankle-foot orthosis	Long leg brace	Musculoskeletal Neurology
kernicterus	kernicterus (chronic bilirubin injury)	Permanent brain injury from bilirubin — chronic	Pediatrics Neurology
Kernohan	Kernohan notch phenomenon	False localizing weakness from opposite-side compression	Neurology
keto diet	ketogenic diet	Very low carbohydrate diet, also used for epilepsy	Nursing Endocrinology Neurology Pediatrics
King's staging	King's clinical staging (ALS)	ALS spread staging system	Neurology
King-Devick	King-Devick test (sideline)	Rapid number reading sideline screen	Pediatrics Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
LABC	lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve	Forearm skin sensation nerve	Neurology Musculoskeletal
labyrinthectomy	labyrinthectomy (procedure)	Removing the balance organ for severe vertigo	Surgery Neurology
labyrinthitis	labyrinthitis (diagnosis)	Inner ear inflammation with hearing loss — diagnosis	Neurology Infectious Disease
lacunar	lacunar stroke (small vessel)	Small deep stroke from tiny artery disease	Neurology
laminectomy	laminectomy (procedure)	Removing the back of a vertebra to free nerves	Surgery Neurology Musculoskeletal
laminectomy fusion	laminectomy with fusion	Decompression combined with spinal fusion	Surgery Neurology
laminoplasty	laminoplasty (hinged lamina)	Rebuilding the spinal canal roof	Surgery Neurology
laminotomy	laminotomy (partial lamina removal)	Removing part of the vertebral arch	Surgery Neurology
Landau	Landau reflex (infant posture)	Flying posture reflex of infants	Pediatrics Neurology
Landau-Kleffner	Landau-Kleffner syndrome (acquired aphasia)	Epilepsy causing loss of language in children	Neurology Pediatrics
LANSS	Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs	Neuropathic pain identification scale	Neurology Vitals & Assessment
LCCA	left common carotid artery	Neck artery to the left brain	Neurology General Medical
Lempert	Lempert roll maneuver (BPPV)	Barbecue roll for horizontal canal crystals	Neurology
lenticulostriate	lenticulostriate arteries	Tiny deep brain arteries often involved in small strokes	Neurology
LFCN	lateral femoral cutaneous nerve	Outer thigh skin nerve; compression causes meralgia	Neurology Musculoskeletal
LGI1	LGI1 antibody (encephalitis)	Autoimmune encephalitis antibody target	Neurology Laboratory
LGMD	limb-girdle muscular dystrophy	Shoulder and hip muscle disease group	Neurology Musculoskeletal
LGS	Lennox-Gastaut syndrome	Severe childhood epilepsy syndrome	Neurology Pediatrics
LINAC SRS	linear accelerator radiosurgery	Machine-based focused radiation treatment	Radiology & Imaging Hematology & Oncology Neurology
Lindegaard	Lindegaard ratio (vasospasm)	Doppler ratio detecting brain artery narrowing	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
LKW	last known well (stroke time)	Last time seen normal — stroke timing	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care Nursing
LMN	lower motor neuron	Nerve cell carrying movement signals from cord to muscle	Neurology
LMN signs	lower motor neuron signs (exam)	Wasting and twitching findings	Neurology
LOC	level of consciousness	How awake and responsive a person is	Vitals & Assessment Neurology
LOC	loss of consciousness	Fainting or passing out	Emergency & Critical Care Neurology
long thoracic n	long thoracic nerve	Nerve to the chest wall muscle; injury causes winged scapula	Neurology Musculoskeletal
LP	lumbar puncture	Needle sampling of spinal fluid from the lower back	Neurology Laboratory
LP child	lumbar puncture (childhood)	Spinal tap — childhood	Pediatrics Neurology Infectious Disease
LP shunt	lumboperitoneal shunt	Spinal fluid diversion to the abdomen	Surgery Neurology
LRP4	LRP4 antibody (myasthenia)	Third myasthenia antibody type	Neurology Laboratory
lucid interval	lucid interval (epidural classic)	Awake period before deterioration in epidural bleeding	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
lumbar plexus	lumbar plexus (anatomy)	Nerve network supplying the front leg	Neurology Musculoskeletal
Luria	Luria tests (frontal bedside)	Bedside frontal lobe function tests	Neurology
LVO	large vessel occlusion	Blockage of a major brain artery	Neurology
LVO	LVO (large vessel occlusion, shorthand)	Big artery stroke blockage shorthand	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care Radiology & Imaging
lvPPA	logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia	Word-finding pause dementia variant	Neurology Psychiatry
Ma2	anti-Ma2 antibody (paraneoplastic)	Brainstem paraneoplastic antibody	Neurology Laboratory
MABC	medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve	Inner forearm skin nerve	Neurology
MACS	Manual Ability Classification System	Cerebral palsy hand-use level system	Pediatrics Neurology
MAE	moves all extremities (exam phrase)	Motor examination summary phrase	Neurology Nursing Emergency & Critical Care
malignant MCA	malignant MCA syndrome (swelling)	Severe swelling after a large stroke	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care Surgery
Marcus Gunn	Marcus Gunn pupil (RAPD eponym)	Alternate name for a relative afferent defect	Neurology
MAS spasticity	Modified Ashworth Scale	Muscle spasticity grading scale	Neurology Musculoskeletal
MCA	middle cerebral artery	Artery supplying much of the side of the brain	Neurology
MCA anatomy	middle cerebral artery (anatomy)	Artery feeding the side of the brain	Neurology
McDonald	McDonald criteria (MS diagnosis)	Diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis	Neurology
MCI	mild cognitive impairment	Noticeable thinking decline beyond normal ageing	Neurology Psychiatry
MCI subtypes	mild cognitive impairment (amnestic/non-amnestic)	Memory-type versus other-type MCI	Neurology Psychiatry
MDAS	Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale	Delirium severity rating scale	Psychiatry Neurology
MDS-UPDRS	MDS Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (score)	Revised Parkinson scale — score	Neurology
median n	median nerve (anatomy)	Main nerve of the front forearm and hand	Neurology Musculoskeletal
medulla anatomy	medulla oblongata (anatomy)	Lowest brainstem controlling breathing and heart rate	Neurology
medulloblastoma	medulloblastoma (diagnosis)	Commonest malignant child brain tumor	Pediatrics Hematology & Oncology Neurology Surgery
Meniere	Meniere disease (diagnosis)	Inner ear disorder with vertigo and ringing — diagnosis	Neurology
MEP	motor evoked potential	Motor pathway test with magnetic stimulation	Neurology
MeVO	medium vessel occlusion (stroke)	Medium artery stroke blockage	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
MFS	Miller Fisher syndrome	Eye-movement variant of Guillain-Barré	Neurology
MG	myasthenia gravis	Autoimmune disease causing fluctuating muscle weakness	Neurology
MG-ADL	Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (score)	Symptom score — score	Neurology
MGFA	Myasthenia Gravis Foundation classification	Myasthenia severity classification	Neurology
microdiscectomy	microdiscectomy (microscope)	Small-incision disc removal with a microscope	Surgery Neurology
micturition syncope	micturition syncope (situational)	Fainting during urination	Cardiology Neurology
MIDAS	Migraine Disability Assessment	Migraine impact questionnaire	Neurology
midbrain	midbrain (anatomy)	Top brainstem segment	Neurology
migraine aura	migraine with aura (type)	Migraine with preceding visual symptoms — type	Neurology
Mini-Cog	Mini-Cog (screen)	Three-item recall plus clock screen — screening	Neurology Psychiatry
miosis	miosis (pupil constriction)	Abnormally small pupils	Neurology
MiToS	Milano-Torino staging (ALS)	ALS milestone staging system	Neurology
mixed delirium	mixed delirium (subtype)	Alternating quiet and agitated delirium	Neurology Psychiatry
MMA	methylmalonic acid	Test confirming vitamin B12 deficiency	Laboratory Hematology & Oncology Neurology
MMC	myelomeningocele	Spina bifida where cord tissue protrudes through the back	Neurology Pediatrics
MMSE	Mini-Mental State Examination	Bedside test of memory and thinking	Neurology Psychiatry Vitals & Assessment
MoCA	Montreal Cognitive Assessment	Screening test of memory and thinking	Neurology Psychiatry
MoCA-B	MoCA Basic (low literacy version)	Cognitive screen for low education	Neurology Psychiatry
MOG	myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody	Antibody of MOG-associated disease	Neurology Laboratory
MOGAD	MOG antibody-associated disease	Demyelinating disease driven by MOG antibodies	Neurology
MOGAD	myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease	Immune disease attacking nerve coverings in brain and cord	Neurology
MOH	medication overuse headache	Headache worsened by frequent use of pain medicines	Neurology
Moro	Moro reflex (startle)	Startle reflex of newborns	Pediatrics Neurology
MPRAGE	magnetization-prepared rapid gradient echo	3D brain MRI sequence for anatomy	Radiology & Imaging Neurology
MRC grade	Medical Research Council grade	Zero-to-five muscle strength grading	Musculoskeletal Neurology
mRS	modified Rankin Scale	Score of disability after stroke	Neurology
MRS	spectroscopy (magnetic resonance)	MRI method measuring tissue chemistry peaks	Radiology & Imaging Neurology
MS ⚠ Error-prone	multiple sclerosis	Disease where the immune system damages nerve coverings in the brain and cord	Neurology
MSA	multiple system atrophy	Progressive brain disease affecting movement and automatic functions	Neurology
MSFC	Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite	Timed walking, hand and thinking MS measure	Neurology
MSLT	multiple sleep latency test	Daytime nap test measuring how fast someone falls asleep	Respiratory Neurology
mTBI	mild traumatic brain injury	A concussion, the mildest form of brain injury	Neurology
mTICI	modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction	Blood-flow restoration grade after thrombectomy	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
MuSK	muscle-specific kinase antibody	Second myasthenia antibody type	Neurology Laboratory
MVD	microvascular decompression	Relieving a nerve compressed by a blood vessel	Surgery Neurology
MWT	maintenance of wakefulness test	Test of ability to stay awake	Neurology Laboratory
mydriasis	mydriasis (pupil dilation)	Abnormally large pupils	Neurology
myoclonic seizure	myoclonic seizure (type)	Brief jerk seizure type	Neurology
myoclonus	myoclonus (finding)	Brief shock-like jerks — finding	Neurology
myotonia	myotonia (finding)	Delayed muscle relaxation after contraction	Neurology
NAION	non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy	Optic nerve damage from reduced blood flow	General Medical Neurology
NCD	neurocognitive disorder	Acquired decline in thinking from a medical or brain cause	Psychiatry Neurology
NCS	nerve conduction study	Test of how fast electrical signals travel along a nerve	Neurology
NCSE	nonconvulsive status epilepticus	Seizure activity without convulsions	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
NCV	nerve conduction velocity	Speed at which a signal travels along a nerve	Neurology
NDD	National Dysphagia Diet	Standard levels for swallowing-safe food textures	Nursing Neurology
NDPH	new daily persistent headache	Headache starting one day and never stopping	Neurology
nectar-thick	nectar-thick liquids	Mildly thickened fluid consistency	Nursing Neurology
neuroma pain	neuroma (painful nerve end)	Painful tangled nerve ending after injury	Neurology Surgery Musculoskeletal
NF1	neurofibromatosis type 1	Inherited condition causing nerve tumours	Neurology Pediatrics
NF2	neurofibromatosis type 2	Inherited condition causing tumours on hearing nerves	Neurology
NfL	neurofilament light chain	Nerve injury marker in blood and CSF	Neurology Laboratory
nfvPPA	nonfluent variant primary progressive aphasia	Effortful speech dementia variant	Neurology Psychiatry
NIF	negative inspiratory force (monitoring)	Breathing strength measure — monitoring	Neurology Respiratory Emergency & Critical Care
NIHSS	National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale	Score measuring stroke severity	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
NIRS	cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy (monitoring)	Brain oxygen monitoring — monitoring	Pediatrics Emergency & Critical Care Neurology
NMDAR ab	anti-NMDA receptor antibody	Autoimmune encephalitis antibody	Neurology Laboratory Psychiatry
NMO	neuromyelitis optica	Immune disease attacking the optic nerves and spinal cord	Neurology
NMOSD	neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder	Group of immune attacks on optic nerves and spinal cord	Neurology
NMS	neuroleptic malignant syndrome	Rare severe reaction with fever, rigidity and confusion	Psychiatry Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
NMSS	Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (Parkinson)	Parkinson non-movement symptom scale	Neurology
NORSE	new-onset refractory status epilepticus	Refractory status without a prior cause	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
NPH	normal pressure hydrocephalus	Fluid build-up in the brain causing walking and memory problems	Neurology
NPI	Neuropsychiatric Inventory	Behavioral symptom scale in dementia	Psychiatry Neurology
NPI-Q	Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire	Brief dementia behavior symptom scale	Neurology Psychiatry
Nu-DESC	Nursing Delirium Screening Scale	Bedside nurse delirium screen	Nursing Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
nummular	nummular headache (coin-shaped)	Coin-sized area of head pain	Neurology
nystagmus types	nystagmus (direction types)	Rhythmic eye oscillation described by direction	Neurology
OAE	otoacoustic emissions (test)	Ear sound response test — test	Neurology Pediatrics
obturator n	obturator nerve (anatomy)	Inner thigh nerve	Neurology Musculoskeletal
OCB	oligoclonal bands	Antibody bands in spinal fluid suggesting immune activity	Neurology Laboratory
occipital lobe	occipital lobe (anatomy)	Back brain region for vision	Neurology
occipital neuralgia	occipital neuralgia (diagnosis)	Back-of-head nerve pain — diagnosis	Neurology
ODS	osmotic demyelination syndrome	Brain injury from correcting sodium too fast	Neurology Renal & Nephrology Emergency & Critical Care
OFC	occipitofrontal circumference (abbreviation)	Head circumference abbreviation	Pediatrics Neurology
OH	orthostatic hypotension (measurement)	Standing blood pressure drop — measurement	Neurology Cardiology Nursing
ON	optic neuritis	Inflammation of the optic nerve causing vision loss	Neurology
one-and-a-half	one-and-a-half syndrome (eye)	Brainstem lesion causing combined gaze palsy	Neurology
ONH	optic nerve head	Front of the optic nerve seen in the eye	General Medical Neurology
onset-to-door	onset-to-door time (stroke metric)	Symptom start to arrival time	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
opening pressure	opening pressure (LP measurement)	Spinal fluid pressure at tap — measurement	Neurology Laboratory
ophthalmic art	ophthalmic artery	First internal carotid branch, feeding the eye	Neurology
Oppenheim	Oppenheim sign (reflex)	Shin stroke eliciting an upgoing toe	Neurology
opsoclonus	opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome (dancing eyes)	Chaotic eye movements linked to neuroblastoma	Pediatrics Neurology Hematology & Oncology
oVEMP	ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential	Balance organ test using eye muscle response	General Medical Neurology
P N E S	psychogenic nonepileptic events (term)	Preferred term for non-electrical seizure-like events	Neurology Psychiatry
p-tau	phosphorylated tau (blood/CSF)	Alzheimer marker protein	Neurology Laboratory
PAINAD	Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia (scale)	Observational pain scale — dementia	Neurology Nursing Psychiatry
painDETECT	painDETECT questionnaire	Neuropathic pain screening tool	Neurology Vitals & Assessment
pallid spells	pallid breath-holding spells (vagal)	Pain-triggered pale fainting spells of toddlers	Pediatrics Neurology Cardiology
palmar grasp	palmar grasp reflex (infant)	Hand gripping reflex of babies	Pediatrics Neurology
PANDAS	pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcus	Strep-linked abrupt OCD and tic hypothesis	Pediatrics Neurology Psychiatry Infectious Disease
PANS	pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome	Abrupt OCD and eating restriction syndrome	Pediatrics Psychiatry Neurology
papilledema	papilledema (finding)	Swollen optic discs from raised pressure — finding	Neurology
parachute	parachute reflex (protective)	Arm extension when tipped forward	Pediatrics Neurology
paramyotonia	paramyotonia congenita (cold stiffness)	Cold-worsened muscle stiffness disorder	Neurology
parietal lobe	parietal lobe (anatomy)	Upper-side brain region for sensation and space	Neurology
PASAT	Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test	Attention and calculation test	Neurology Psychiatry
PbtO2	brain tissue oxygen tension	Probe measuring brain oxygen directly	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
pc-ASPECTS	posterior circulation ASPECTS	Brainstem stroke scan score	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
PCA	posterior cerebral artery	Artery supplying the back lower part of the brain	Neurology
PCA	posterior cortical atrophy	Dementia syndrome first affecting vision processing	Neurology
PCA anatomy	posterior cerebral artery (anatomy)	Artery feeding the back of the brain	Neurology
PCDF	posterior cervical discectomy and fusion	Neck fusion from the back	Surgery Neurology
PCOM	posterior communicating artery	Small connecting artery at the brain base	Neurology
PCS	post-concussion syndrome	Lasting symptoms following a concussion	Neurology
PD	Parkinson disease	Movement disorder causing tremor, stiffness and slowness	Neurology
PDPH	post-dural puncture headache	Headache after a spinal procedure from fluid leakage	Surgery Neurology
PDQ-39	Parkinson Disease Questionnaire-39	Parkinson quality-of-life measure	Neurology
PEARL	pupils equal and reactive to light	Basic pupil examination finding	Neurology General Medical Vitals & Assessment
penumbra	ischemic penumbra (imaging)	Salvageable tissue around a stroke	Neurology Radiology & Imaging Emergency & Critical Care
perforators	perforating arteries (brain)	Tiny arteries branching directly into deep brain	Neurology
perilymph fistula	perilymph fistula (diagnosis)	Inner ear fluid leak — diagnosis	Neurology Surgery
periodic paralysis	familial periodic paralysis (group)	Episodic weakness with potassium shifts	Neurology Endocrinology
periungual fibroma	periungual fibromas (tuberous sclerosis)	Nail-fold growths of tuberous sclerosis	Pediatrics Neurology
PERLA	pupils equal and reactive to light and accommodation	Normal pupil response check during eye examination	Vitals & Assessment Neurology
PERRL	pupils equal, round, reactive to light	Normal pupil size, shape and light response finding	Neurology Vitals & Assessment
PERRLA	pupils equal, round, reactive to light and accommodation	Normal pupil response check during eye examination	Vitals & Assessment Neurology
PFO closure	patent foramen ovale closure (stroke)	Closing a heart hole after unexplained stroke	Neurology Cardiology Surgery
PHACE	PHACE syndrome (hemangioma association)	Large face hemangioma with other anomalies	Pediatrics Cardiology Neurology
phantom pain	phantom limb pain (syndrome)	Pain felt in an amputated limb	Neurology Surgery Musculoskeletal
phenol block	phenol neurolysis (block)	Alcohol-like injection quieting a nerve	Neurology Musculoskeletal
PHN	postherpetic neuralgia	Nerve pain lasting after a shingles rash heals	Neurology
phrenic n	phrenic nerve (anatomy)	Nerve driving the diaphragm	Neurology Respiratory
PICA	posterior inferior cerebellar artery	Artery feeding the lower cerebellum and brainstem	Neurology
PIN	posterior interosseous nerve	Deep branch of the radial nerve	Neurology Musculoskeletal
pinpoint pupils	pinpoint pupils (finding)	Extremely small pupils, as in opioid effect or pons injury	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
PLEX	plasma exchange (neuro)	Blood filtering for neuroimmune attacks — neuro	Neurology Laboratory
PLMD	periodic limb movement disorder	Repetitive limb movements during sleep	Neurology
PLMS	periodic limb movements of sleep	Repeated leg movements during sleep	Neurology Respiratory
PN	peripheral neuropathy	Damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord	Neurology
PNES	psychogenic nonepileptic seizures	Seizure-like episodes without abnormal brain electrical activity	Neurology Psychiatry
PNS	peripheral nervous system	Nerves outside the brain and spinal cord	Neurology
PO challenge	oral challenge (feeding)	Trial of swallowing after a procedure or illness	Nursing Neurology
pons	pons (anatomy)	Bulging middle brainstem segment	Neurology
port-wine	port-wine stain (capillary malformation)	Flat purple-red birthmark	Pediatrics Neurology
post-concussion	post-concussion symptoms (recovery)	Lingering symptoms after concussion	Pediatrics Neurology Psychiatry
postherpetic	postherpetic neuralgia (diagnosis)	Pain after shingles — diagnosis	Neurology Infectious Disease Prescription & Medication Orders
posturing	decorticate/decerebrate posturing (finding)	Abnormal flexion or extension after brain injury	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
POTS	postural orthostatic tachycardia (diagnosis)	Standing racing heart without pressure drop — diagnosis	Neurology Cardiology
PPA	primary progressive aphasia	Dementia syndrome first and mainly affecting language	Neurology
PPMS	primary progressive multiple sclerosis	Multiple sclerosis worsening steadily from the start	Neurology
Prader-Willi	Prader-Willi syndrome (genetic)	Appetite and development genetic syndrome	Pediatrics Endocrinology Neurology
PRES	posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome	Brain swelling syndrome causing headache, seizures and vision changes	Neurology
primary stabbing	primary stabbing headache (ice pick)	Brief ice-pick head pains	Neurology
primitive reflexes	primitive reflexes (newborn group)	Automatic newborn reflexes that fade with age	Pediatrics Neurology
pseudobulbar affect	pseudobulbar affect (symptom)	Uncontrolled laughing or crying — symptom	Neurology Psychiatry
pseudodementia	pseudodementia (depression mimic)	Depression imitating dementia	Psychiatry Neurology
PSP	progressive supranuclear palsy	Progressive brain disease affecting balance, movement and eye motion	Neurology
PSQI	Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index	Sleep quality questionnaire	Psychiatry Neurology
PTA audiol	pure tone average (audiology)	Mean hearing threshold across speech frequencies	Neurology General Medical
pudding-thick	pudding-thick liquids	Spoon-thick fluid consistency	Nursing Neurology
pudendal n	pudendal nerve (anatomy)	Main nerve of the perineum	Neurology Obstetrics & Gynecology
putamen	putamen (anatomy)	Part of the basal ganglia	Neurology
PVL	periventricular leukomalacia	Injury to white matter around the brain's fluid spaces in premature babies	Pediatrics Neurology
PWI	perfusion-weighted imaging	MRI measuring tissue blood flow	Radiology & Imaging Neurology
pyridostigmine	pyridostigmine (symptomatic)	Symptom-relief drug for myasthenia — sense as charted	Neurology Prescription & Medication Orders
QMG	Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (score)	Measured strength score — score	Neurology
QSART	quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test	Sweat function test for small fibers	Neurology
QST	quantitative sensory testing	Measured pain and temperature thresholds	Neurology
radial n	radial nerve (anatomy)	Nerve extending the wrist and fingers	Neurology Musculoskeletal
RANO	Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology	Brain tumor response criteria	Hematology & Oncology Neurology Radiology & Imaging
RAPD	relative afferent pupillary defect	Unequal pupil response suggesting optic nerve damage	General Medical Neurology
RAVLT	Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test	Word-list memory test	Neurology Psychiatry
RBANS	Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status	Brief repeatable cognitive battery	Neurology Psychiatry
RBD	REM sleep behavior disorder	Acting out dreams during rapid eye movement sleep	Neurology
RCCA	right common carotid artery	Neck artery to the right brain	Neurology General Medical
RCVS	reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome	Temporary brain artery narrowing with thunderclap pain	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
red flags develop	developmental red flags (warning signs)	Milestone warnings needing evaluation	Pediatrics Neurology
reflex decay	acoustic reflex decay (test)	Stapedius reflex fatigue test	Neurology
regression develop	developmental regression (loss of skills)	Losing gained skills, an urgent warning sign	Pediatrics Neurology Psychiatry
REM	rapid eye movement	Sleep stage with quick eye movements and vivid dreams	Neurology
retinal hemorrhage child	retinal hemorrhages (abuse evaluation)	Eye bleeding in abusive head trauma checks	Pediatrics Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
Rett	Rett syndrome (neurodevelopmental)	Genetic disorder mainly affecting girls' development	Neurology Pediatrics Psychiatry
return to learn	return-to-learn (protocol)	Graduated school return after concussion	Pediatrics Neurology
return to play	return-to-play (protocol)	Graduated sports return after concussion	Pediatrics Neurology Musculoskeletal
rhabdomyoma cardiac	cardiac rhabdomyoma (tuberous marker)	Heart muscle tumor of newborns suggesting tuberous sclerosis	Pediatrics Cardiology Neurology
rhizotomy	rhizotomy (nerve root lesioning)	Procedure destroying pain-carrying nerve fibers	Surgery Neurology Musculoskeletal
Rinne	Rinne test (tuning fork)	Air versus bone conduction comparison	Neurology General Medical
RIS	radiologically isolated syndrome	MS-like MRI findings without symptoms	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
RLS	restless legs syndrome	Urge to move the legs, worse at rest and at night	Neurology
RNS	responsive neurostimulation	Implanted device detecting and stopping seizures	Neurology Surgery
RNS test	repetitive nerve stimulation (test)	Fatigue test for myasthenia	Neurology
Romberg	Romberg test (balance)	Standing balance test with eyes closed	Neurology Musculoskeletal
rooting	rooting reflex (feeding)	Head turning toward a cheek touch seeking food	Pediatrics Neurology Nursing
rotary chair	rotary chair testing (vestibular)	Rotating chair balance assessment	Neurology
RRMS	relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis	Multiple sclerosis with attacks separated by recovery periods	Neurology
rs-fMRI	resting-state functional MRI	Brain network imaging without a task	Radiology & Imaging Neurology
RSD	reflex sympathetic dystrophy (older CRPS term)	Older name for complex regional pain	Neurology Musculoskeletal
RSE	refractory status epilepticus	Status continuing despite first treatments	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
RT-QuIC	real-time quaking-induced conversion	Highly specific prion disease test	Neurology Laboratory Infectious Disease
rTMS	repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation	Repeated magnetic pulse treatment to brain areas	Neurology Psychiatry
RUDAS	Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale	Culture-fair dementia screen	Neurology Psychiatry
SAC exam	Standardized Assessment of Concussion	Mental status part of concussion tools	Pediatrics Neurology
sacral plexus	sacral plexus (anatomy)	Nerve network supplying the back leg and pelvis	Neurology Obstetrics & Gynecology
SAH	subarachnoid hemorrhage	Bleeding into the space around the brain	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
sandifer	Sandifer syndrome (reflux posturing)	Arching postures from reflux in infants	Pediatrics Gastroenterology Neurology
Sanfilippo	Sanfilippo syndrome (MPS III)	Brain-predominant storage disease	Pediatrics Laboratory Neurology
saphenous n	saphenous nerve	Inner leg skin nerve	Neurology Musculoskeletal
SARA	Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia	Ataxia severity scale	Neurology
SAS	Simpson-Angus Scale (parkinsonism)	Rating scale for drug-induced parkinsonism	Psychiatry Neurology
SB	spina bifida	Birth defect where the spine does not close fully	Neurology Pediatrics
SCA	spinocerebellar ataxia (group)	Inherited balance disorder family	Neurology
SCA	superior cerebellar artery	Artery feeding the top of the cerebellum	Neurology
scalp tenderness	scalp tenderness (symptom)	Sore scalp in artery inflammation	Neurology General Medical
SCAT	Sport Concussion Assessment Tool	Sideline concussion evaluation tool	Pediatrics Neurology Musculoskeletal
SCD	subjective cognitive decline	Self-perceived decline with normal testing	Neurology Psychiatry
Schwabach	Schwabach test (tuning fork)	Bone conduction compared with the examiner's	Neurology
SCI	sciatica	Pain travelling along the sciatic nerve	Neurology Musculoskeletal
SCI	spinal cord injury	Damage to the spinal cord	Emergency & Critical Care Neurology
sciatic n	sciatic nerve (anatomy)	Largest nerve, down the back of the leg	Neurology Musculoskeletal
SCIWORA	spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality	Cord injury with normal imaging, classically in children	Pediatrics Neurology Emergency & Critical Care Radiology & Imaging
SCS	spinal cord stimulator (implant)	Device masking pain with electrical pulses	Surgery Neurology Musculoskeletal
SDH	subdural hematoma	Blood collecting under the outer covering of the brain	Neurology
SDH child	subdural hematoma (infant evaluation)	Blood collection in abusive head trauma checks	Pediatrics Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
SDMT	Symbol Digit Modalities Test	Processing speed test used in MS	Neurology Psychiatry
SDR	selective dorsal rhizotomy	Nerve-root surgery reducing leg stiffness	Neurology Surgery Pediatrics
SDS	speech discrimination score (audiology)	Percentage of words repeated correctly	Neurology
SE	status epilepticus	A prolonged seizure or seizures without recovery between	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
second impact	second impact syndrome (sports)	Catastrophic swelling after a repeat concussion	Pediatrics Neurology Emergency & Critical Care Musculoskeletal
SEGA	subependymal giant cell astrocytoma	Brain tumor of tuberous sclerosis	Pediatrics Neurology Hematology & Oncology
seizure precautions	seizure precautions (order)	Bedside safety setup for seizure risk	Nursing Neurology
Semont	Semont maneuver (BPPV treatment)	Liberatory repositioning maneuver	Neurology
sentinel bleed	sentinel hemorrhage (warning leak)	Small warning aneurysm leak before a major rupture	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
SEP	somatosensory evoked potential	Afferent pathway electrical test	Neurology
serial 7s	serial sevens (attention test)	Subtracting by seven testing attention	Psychiatry Neurology
serial casting	serial casting (contracture)	Repeated casts stretching a tight joint	Musculoskeletal Pediatrics Neurology
SFEMG	single-fiber EMG (jitter)	Most sensitive myasthenia electrical test	Neurology
SFN	small fiber neuropathy	Damage to small pain and temperature nerve fibres	Neurology
SFN abbrev	small fiber neuropathy (SFN abbreviation)	Tiny-fiber nerve disease — abbreviation	Neurology
shagreen	shagreen patch (tuberous sclerosis)	Orange-peel back patch of tuberous sclerosis	Pediatrics Neurology
shaken baby	abusive head trauma (preferred term)	Inflicted shaking head injury	Pediatrics Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
SIB	self-injurious behavior	Self-harming behavior, also in developmental disorders	Psychiatry Pediatrics Neurology
SIB	Severe Impairment Battery (cognitive)	Test for advanced dementia cognition	Neurology Psychiatry
sigmoid sinus	sigmoid sinus (venous)	S-curved vein channel behind the ear	Neurology
single breath count	single breath count test	Counting aloud on one breath estimating lung capacity	Neurology Respiratory
sixth nerve palsy	sixth nerve palsy (finding)	Inward-looking eye unable to move outward	Neurology
skew	skew deviation (eye finding)	Vertical eye misalignment suggesting brainstem stroke	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
skin punch	skin punch biopsy (neuropathy)	Skin sample counting tiny nerve fibers	Neurology Laboratory
sleep study child	polysomnography (childhood)	Overnight sleep study — childhood	Pediatrics Respiratory Neurology
SLP	speech-language pathologist	Clinician treating speech, language and swallowing	General Medical Neurology
SLR	straight leg raise (test)	Nerve root tension sign in back pain	Musculoskeletal Neurology Vitals & Assessment
SLUMS	Saint Louis University Mental Status (psych)	Cognitive screen — psychiatric use	Psychiatry Neurology
SMA	spinal muscular atrophy	Inherited disease weakening muscles through motor nerve loss	Neurology Pediatrics
SMA genetic	spinal muscular atrophy (genetic)	Motor neuron genetic disease of childhood	Pediatrics Neurology
small fiber	small fiber neuropathy (type)	Pain and temperature fiber nerve disease	Neurology
SN	substantia nigra (anatomy)	Dopamine-producing brainstem region lost in Parkinson disease	Neurology
spastic CP	spastic cerebral palsy (type)	Stiff-movement cerebral palsy type	Pediatrics Neurology
spasticity	spasticity (management)	Velocity-dependent stiffness — management	Neurology Musculoskeletal Pediatrics
spinal accessory n	cranial nerve XI (spinal accessory, anatomy)	Nerve to the neck and trapezius muscles	Neurology
SPMS	secondary progressive multiple sclerosis	Multiple sclerosis that becomes steadily progressive after relapses	Neurology
SPN	superficial peroneal nerve	Outer lower-leg skin and muscle nerve	Neurology Musculoskeletal
spot sign	spot sign (CT bleeding)	Contrast leak predicting bleed growth on scan	Neurology Radiology & Imaging Emergency & Critical Care
SRS	stereotactic radiosurgery	Single precise radiation treatment, often for brain lesions	Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging Neurology
SRS brain	stereotactic radiosurgery (brain)	Focused single-session radiation for brain lesions	Neurology Radiology & Imaging Hematology & Oncology
SRSE	super-refractory status epilepticus	Status beyond 24 hours of anesthesia	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
SRT	speech reception threshold (audiology)	Softest speech level understood half the time	Neurology
SSS	superior sagittal sinus	Main vein channel along the top of the skull	Neurology
Status epi	status epilepticus	Prolonged or repeated seizures without recovery	Emergency & Critical Care Neurology
status migrainosus	status migrainosus (prolonged migraine)	Migraine attack beyond 72 hours	Neurology
stent retriever	stent retriever (thrombectomy device)	Mesh device pulling out a brain clot	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
stepping reflex	stepping reflex (newborn)	Automatic walking movements of newborns	Pediatrics Neurology
STN	subthalamic nucleus (anatomy)	Small deep brain structure targeted in DBS	Neurology
strabismus	strabismus (misalignment)	Eye misalignment	Pediatrics Surgery Neurology
straight sinus	straight sinus (venous)	Midline vein channel draining deep brain	Neurology
Stroop	Stroop test (attention)	Color-word interference test	Neurology Psychiatry
stump pain	residual limb pain (stump)	Pain in the remaining limb after amputation	Neurology Surgery
Sturge-Weber	Sturge-Weber syndrome (vascular)	Facial birthmark with brain vessel abnormality	Pediatrics Neurology
SUDEP	sudden unexpected death in epilepsy	Sudden unexplained death of a person with epilepsy	Neurology
SUNA	short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks	Related brief headache with tearing or redness	Neurology
SUNCT	short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache with conjunctival injection	Brief severe one-sided headache with a red tearing eye	Neurology
sundowning	sundowning (term)	Evening worsening of confusion in dementia	Neurology Psychiatry Nursing
supine roll	supine roll test (BPPV)	Roll test for horizontal canal BPPV	Neurology
suprascapular n	suprascapular nerve	Nerve to the top shoulder muscles	Neurology Musculoskeletal
sural n	sural nerve (anatomy)	Calf skin nerve often biopsied or harvested	Neurology Musculoskeletal
SVC	slow vital capacity (measurement)	Gentle breathing volume measure	Respiratory Neurology
svPPA	semantic variant primary progressive aphasia	Word-meaning loss dementia variant	Neurology Psychiatry
SWEDD	scans without evidence of dopaminergic deficit	Normal dopamine scan in apparent Parkinsonism	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
SWI	susceptibility-weighted imaging	MRI sequence sensitive to blood products and veins	Radiology & Imaging Neurology
swirl sign	swirl sign (hematoma)	Swirled low density within a bleed	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
syncope types	syncope (reflex/orthostatic/cardiac types)	Fainting classified by mechanism	Cardiology Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
SZ	seizure	Sudden abnormal electrical activity in the brain	Neurology
T25FW	Timed 25-Foot Walk	MS walking speed test	Neurology
tandem lesion	tandem occlusion (stroke)	Neck plus brain artery blockages together	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
tap test	tap test (NPH)	Large-volume spinal tap predicting shunt response	Neurology Surgery
Tay-Sachs	Tay-Sachs disease (lysosomal)	Infantile nerve storage disorder	Pediatrics Laboratory Neurology
TBI	traumatic brain injury	Brain injury caused by external force	Emergency & Critical Care Neurology
TCAR	transcarotid artery revascularization	Carotid stenting through a neck incision	Surgery Neurology
TCD	transcranial Doppler	Ultrasound measuring blood flow in brain arteries	Neurology
TD	tardive dyskinesia	Involuntary repetitive movements appearing after long medicine use	Psychiatry Neurology
tDCS	transcranial direct current stimulation	Weak current brain stimulation technique	Psychiatry Neurology
temporal lobe	temporal lobe (anatomy)	Side brain region for hearing and memory	Neurology
TENS	transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation	Skin electrodes delivering mild pulses for pain relief	Musculoskeletal Neurology
tensilon	edrophonium test (historical myasthenia)	Former drug test for myasthenia	Neurology
tentorium	tentorium cerebelli (anatomy)	Tent-like fold over the cerebellum	Neurology
terminal delirium	terminal delirium (end of life)	Delirium in the last days of life	Neurology Psychiatry Nursing
TETRAS	The Essential Tremor Rating Assessment Scale	Standard tremor rating scale	Neurology
thalamus	thalamus (anatomy)	Brain relay station for sensation	Neurology
therapeutic hypothermia	therapeutic hypothermia (cooling)	Whole-body cooling after birth brain injury — treatment	Pediatrics Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
third nerve palsy	third nerve palsy (finding)	Down-and-out eye with droopy lid and large pupil	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
third ventricle	third ventricle (anatomy)	Midline fluid space between the thalami	Neurology
thrombectomy stroke	mechanical thrombectomy (stroke)	Catheter removal of a brain clot in stroke	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care Radiology & Imaging
thunderclap	thunderclap headache (descriptor)	Instant peak severe headache descriptor	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
TIA	transient ischemic attack	Brief stroke-like episode that passes without lasting damage	Neurology
tibial n	tibial nerve (anatomy)	Main back-of-leg nerve	Neurology Musculoskeletal
tic disorders	tic disorders (Tourette group)	Motor and vocal tic conditions	Pediatrics Neurology Psychiatry
tic douloureux	tic douloureux (trigeminal neuralgia)	French name for facial nerve pain	Neurology
tilt table	tilt table test (autonomic)	Upright tilt test for fainting — autonomic	Neurology Cardiology
TLIF	transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion	Back fusion through a side-of-canal approach	Surgery Musculoskeletal Neurology
TLSO	thoracolumbosacral orthosis (brace)	Trunk brace — brace	Musculoskeletal Neurology Surgery
TM	transverse myelitis	Inflammation across a section of the spinal cord	Neurology
TMS	transcranial magnetic stimulation	Magnetic pulses stimulating brain areas through the skull	Neurology Psychiatry
TMZ	temozolomide (chart shorthand)	Brain tumor chemotherapy shorthand	Prescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology Neurology
TN	trigeminal neuralgia	Brief electric-shock facial pain from the trigeminal nerve	Neurology
TNK	tenecteplase (stroke shorthand)	Single-bolus clot-dissolving drug shorthand	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care Prescription & Medication Orders
TOAST	TOAST classification (stroke)	Stroke cause classification system	Neurology
toe walking	idiopathic toe walking (habit)	Persistent tiptoe walking in children	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Neurology
tonic seizure	tonic seizure (type)	Stiffening seizure type	Neurology
TOS	thoracic outlet syndrome	Compression of nerves or vessels between neck and armpit	Musculoskeletal Neurology
tPA	alteplase (stroke)	Clot-dissolving drug — stroke treatment	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care Prescription & Medication Orders
tPA	tissue plasminogen activator	Clot-dissolving protein, also made as a medicine	Neurology Hematology & Oncology
TPE	therapeutic plasma exchange	Removing and replacing plasma to treat disease	Hematology & Oncology Renal & Nephrology Neurology
traction	cervical traction (therapy)	Neck pulling therapy — therapy	Musculoskeletal Neurology
trail making	trail making test (cognitive)	Timed connect-the-dots attention test	Neurology Psychiatry
transverse sinus	transverse sinus (venous)	Side vein channel draining the brain	Neurology
traumatic tap	traumatic tap (bloody LP)	Blood from the needle path in a spinal tap	Neurology Laboratory
tremor types	tremor (rest/action/intention types)	Shaking classified by when it occurs	Neurology
Trendelenburg child	Trendelenburg gait (hip weakness)	Hip-drop walking from weak abductors	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Neurology
trigeminal neuralgia	trigeminal neuralgia (diagnosis)	Electric facial pain — diagnosis	Neurology
triple-H	triple-H therapy (historical SAH)	Older pressure and volume strategy after bleeding	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
TS	Tourette syndrome	Condition with repeated involuntary movements and sounds called tics	Neurology Psychiatry
TS	tuberous sclerosis	Genetic condition causing benign growths in many organs	Pediatrics Neurology
TSC	tuberous sclerosis complex	Inherited condition causing growths in many organs	Neurology Pediatrics
TTH	tension-type headache	Common headache with pressing or tightening pain	Neurology
tympanometry	tympanometry (test)	Eardrum movement test — test	Neurology General Medical Pediatrics
UB-CAM	Ultra-Brief Confusion Assessment Method	Two-item delirium screen	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
UHDRS	Unified Huntington Disease Rating Scale (score)	Huntington severity scale — score	Neurology
ulnar n	ulnar nerve (anatomy)	Nerve behind the elbow to the pinky side	Neurology Musculoskeletal
UM N signs	upper motor neuron signs (exam)	Overactive reflexes and stiffness findings	Neurology
UMN	upper motor neuron	Nerve cell carrying movement signals from brain to cord	Neurology
uncal	uncal herniation (type)	Side brain tissue pressing on the brainstem	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
Unterberger	Unterberger stepping test	Marching-in-place rotation test for balance	Neurology
upbeat	upbeat nystagmus (type)	Upward-beating eye oscillation	Neurology
UPDRS	Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale	Score of Parkinson's disease severity	Neurology
uremic encephalopathy	uremic encephalopathy (indication)	Brain dysfunction from uremia — indication	Renal & Nephrology Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
VA shunt	ventriculoatrial shunt	Brain fluid diversion to the heart atrium	Surgery Neurology
VaD	vascular dementia	Dementia caused by reduced blood flow to the brain	Neurology Psychiatry
vagus anatomy	vagus nerve (anatomy)	Long cranial nerve to chest and gut — anatomy	Neurology Gastroenterology
vasospasm	cerebral vasospasm (after SAH)	Delayed artery narrowing after bleeding	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
vasovagal	vasovagal syncope (diagnosis)	Emotion or pain triggered faint — diagnosis	Cardiology Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
VAT	vestibular autorotation test	Head-shake balance reflex test	Neurology
VEEG	video EEG monitoring (diagnosis)	Simultaneous video and brain wave recording	Neurology
ventricle lat	lateral ventricle (anatomy)	Large fluid space inside each brain half	Neurology
VEP	visual evoked potential (test)	Visual pathway electrical test — test	Neurology
verbal fluency	verbal fluency test (cognitive)	Timed word-generation test	Neurology Psychiatry
vert art	vertebral artery	Artery traveling through the neck bones to the brain	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
vestibular migraine	vestibular migraine (type)	Migraine causing vertigo episodes	Neurology
vestibular neuritis	vestibular neuritis (diagnosis)	Inner ear inflammation causing vertigo — diagnosis	Neurology
VGKC	voltage-gated potassium channel antibody (complex)	Older umbrella term for LGI1/CASPR2 antibodies	Neurology Laboratory
vHIT	video head impulse test	Camera-based balance reflex test	Neurology
VHL	von Hippel-Lindau disease	Inherited condition causing tumours and cysts	Endocrinology Neurology
VN	vestibular neuritis	Sudden prolonged vertigo after viral inner-ear inflammation	General Medical Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
VNG	videonystagmography (test)	Video eye recording for balance testing	Neurology
VNS	vagus nerve stimulation	Device stimulating the vagus nerve, used for epilepsy	Neurology
VNS epilepsy	vagus nerve stimulation (epilepsy)	Implanted stimulator reducing seizures — epilepsy	Neurology Surgery
VNS implant	vagal nerve stimulator implantation	Implanting a seizure-control stimulator	Surgery Neurology
VOMS	Vestibular/Ocular-Motor Screening	Eye and balance concussion screen	Pediatrics Neurology
VP shunt	ventriculoperitoneal shunt	Tube draining brain fluid into the abdomen	Surgery Neurology
VPA level	valproate level (monitoring)	Blood level check for valproic acid	Psychiatry Laboratory Neurology Prescription & Medication Orders
VPS	ventriculoperitoneal shunt	Tube draining brain fluid into the abdomen	Neurology Surgery
VRT	vestibular rehabilitation therapy	Exercise therapy retraining balance	Neurology Nursing Musculoskeletal
WAIS-IV	Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV	Adult intelligence test edition	Psychiatry Neurology Pediatrics
wake-up stroke	wake-up stroke (presentation)	Stroke found on waking	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
watershed	watershed infarct (borderzone)	Stroke at territory borders from low flow	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
WBRT	whole brain radiation therapy	Radiation to the entire brain for spread of cancer	Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging Neurology
WCST	Wisconsin Card Sorting Test	Set-shifting executive function test	Neurology Psychiatry
WEB	Woven EndoBridge (aneurysm device)	Intrasaccular device treating wide-neck aneurysms	Neurology Radiology & Imaging Surgery
Weber	Weber test (tuning fork)	Lateralization test for hearing loss	Neurology General Medical
Williams	Williams syndrome (genetic)	Friendly personality genetic syndrome with heart narrowing	Pediatrics Cardiology Neurology
WKS	Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome	Brain disorder from thiamine deficiency, affecting memory	Neurology Psychiatry
WNV	West Nile virus	Mosquito-borne virus tested in donors and encephalitis	Infectious Disease Laboratory Neurology
xanthochromia	xanthochromia (CSF finding)	Yellow spinal fluid after bleeding — finding	Neurology Laboratory
Yo ab	anti-Yo antibody (paraneoplastic)	Cerebellar paraneoplastic antibody	Neurology Laboratory

Educational reference only. This guide is for learning and quick reference. Abbreviations vary between hospitals, countries and specialties, and some are discouraged because they can be misread. Always write and interpret orders using your own institution’s approved abbreviation list, and check anything unclear with the prescriber or your local policy.

Neurology Abbreviations — MedicalVideos.com

14-3-3 — 14-3-3 protein (CSF)

3% saline — three percent saline (hypertonic)

3D-CAM — 3-minute Diagnostic Confusion Assessment Method

4AT — 4 A's test

9HPT — Nine-Hole Peg Test

A&O x4 — alert and oriented times four (person place time situation)

ABE — acute bilirubin encephalopathy

Abeta42 — amyloid beta 42 (CSF/blood)

ABR — auditory brainstem response (test)

absence — absence seizure (type)

ACA — anterior cerebral artery

ACA anatomy — anterior cerebral artery (anatomy)

ACDF — anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

ACE-III — Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III

AChR ab — acetylcholine receptor antibody

ACOM — anterior communicating artery

AD — Alzheimer disease

AD biomarkers — Alzheimer biomarkers (ATN)

AD8 — AD8 dementia screening interview

ADAS-Cog — Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale Cognitive

ADC — apparent diffusion coefficient

ADEM — acute disseminated encephalomyelitis

adenoma sebaceum — facial angiofibromas (tuberous sclerosis)

Adie — Adie tonic pupil

AED — antiepileptic drug

aEEG — amplitude-integrated EEG (cerebral monitor)

AFO — ankle-foot orthosis (device)

AHT — abusive head trauma

AICA — anterior inferior cerebellar artery

AIDP — acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy

AIMS exam — Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (exam)

AIN — anterior interosseous nerve

AION — anterior ischemic optic neuropathy

ALS — amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

ALSFRS — ALS Functional Rating Scale (score)

ALSFRS-R — ALS Functional Rating Scale Revised

AM child — abdominal migraine (childhood)

AMAN — acute motor axonal neuropathy

amblyopia — amblyopia (lazy eye)

AML kidney child — renal angiomyolipoma (tuberous)

AMS — altered mental status

AMTS — Abbreviated Mental Test Score

amygdala — amygdala (anatomy)

ancillary test — ancillary test (brain death)

Angelman — Angelman syndrome (neurodevelopmental)

anisocoria — anisocoria (finding)

ANNA — antineuronal nuclear antibody

ANS — autonomic nervous system

anti-AChR — anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody

anti-GQ1b — anti-GQ1b antibody (Miller Fisher)

anti-Hu — anti-Hu antibody

anti-MOG — anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody

anti-MuSK — muscle-specific kinase antibody

anti-NMDA — anti-NMDA receptor antibody

APD — afferent pupillary defect

apnea test — apnea test (brain death)

APOE — apolipoprotein E

AQP4 — AQP4 antibody (neuromyelitis)

AQP4 — aquaporin-4 antibody

AQP4-IgG — aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G

aqueduct — cerebral aqueduct (anatomy)

ARAT — Action Research Arm Test

ARBD — alcohol-related brain damage

Argyll Robertson — Argyll Robertson pupil

AROM against gravity — active range of motion against gravity

ASCO — ASCO classification (stroke)

ash leaf — ash leaf spots (tuberous sclerosis)

ASL — arterial spin labeling

ASPECTS — Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score

aspiration cath stroke — aspiration catheter (stroke device)

aspiration precautions — aspiration precautions (order)

aspiration thromb — direct aspiration thrombectomy

ASSR — auditory steady-state response

asterixis — asterixis (finding)

ataxia telang — ataxia telangiectasia (genetic)

ataxic CP — ataxic cerebral palsy (type)

athetosis — athetosis (movement)

ATL — anterior temporal lobectomy

atlantoaxial — atlantoaxial instability (Down)

ATN — amyloid tau neurodegeneration (framework)

ATNR — asymmetric tonic neck reflex

atonic seizure — atonic seizure (drop attack)

ATTR — transthyretin amyloidosis

atypical absence — atypical absence seizure (type)

autonomic testing — autonomic testing (battery)

AVM — arteriovenous malformation

AVPU — alert voice pain unresponsive (scale)

axillary n — axillary nerve (anatomy)

B12 — vitamin B12

BA — basilar artery

Babinski — Babinski sign (finding)

baclofen pump — intrathecal baclofen (pump)

BAER — brainstem auditory evoked response (test)

ballismus — ballismus (movement)

BAO — basilar artery occlusion

baseline testing — baseline neurocognitive testing (sports)

basilar — basilar artery

BAT score — BAT score (hematoma expansion)

BBB — blood-brain barrier

bCAM — brief Confusion Assessment Method (instrument)

BECTS — benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes

BEHAVE-AD — Behavioral Pathology in Alzheimer Disease scale

Bender — Bender Gestalt Test

BESS — Balance Error Scoring System

BFCRS — Bush Francis Catatonia Rating Scale

BG — basal ganglia (anatomy)

BGC — balloon guide catheter (stroke)

BIND score — bilirubin-induced neurologic dysfunction score

blend sign — blend sign (hematoma)

blown pupil — blown pupil (fixed dilated)

BMD — Becker muscular dystrophy

BoNT — botulinum neurotoxin (spasticity)

borderzone — borderzone infarct (watershed)

BPPV — benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

BPPV vertigo — benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (ear)

brachial plexus anatomy — brachial plexus (anatomy)

brain death exam — brain death examination (determination)

Brandt-Daroff — Brandt-Daroff exercises (vertigo)

breath-holding — breath-holding spells (toddler)

bridging veins — bridging vein rupture (head injury)

BRIEF — Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function

BRIEF-A — BRIEF Adult Version

bulbar onset — bulbar-onset ALS (type)

burr hole — burr hole drainage (procedure)

bvFTD — behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia

CADASIL — cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy

CAE — childhood absence epilepsy

cafe-au-lait — café-au-lait macules (count)

CAG repeat — CAG repeat (genetic)

callosotomy — corpus callosotomy

calorics — caloric testing (vestibular)

CAM — Confusion Assessment Method

CAM-ICU — Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU

Canadian CT Head Rule — Canadian CT Head Rule

canalith — c analith repositioning (procedure)

Capgras — Capgras delusion (impostor)

carotid bulb — carotid bulb (bifurcation)

carotid sinus — carotid sinus syncope (hypersensitivity)

carotid stent — carotid artery stenting

carotid web — carotid web (shelf lesion)

carpal tunnel release — carpal tunnel release (procedure)

CAS — childhood apraxia of speech

CASPR2 — CASPR2 antibody (encephalitis)

catatonia — catatonia (psych)

cauda equina anatomy — cauda equina (anatomy)

caudate — caudate nucleus (anatomy)

causalgia — causalgia (CRPS type II)

cav sinus — cavernous sinus (venous)

cavernous thrombosis — cavernous sinus thrombosis (infection)

Cawthorne — Cawthorne-Cooksey exercises (vestibular)

CBD neuro — corticobasal degeneration (diagnosis)

CBT-I — CBT for insomnia

CBZ level — carbamazepine level (monitoring)

CC anatomy — corpus callosum (anatomy)

CCHR — Canadian CT Head Rule

CCS — Causative Classification of Stroke

CDP — computerized dynamic posturography

CDR — Clinical Dementia Rating

CDR-SB — Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes

cEEG — continuous electroencephalogram

central pain — central post-stroke pain

cerebellar vermis — vermis (cerebellar anatomy)

cerebral edema child — cerebral edema (head injury)

cervical ADR — cervical artificial disc replacement

CFCS — Communication Function Classification System

CH — cluster headache

Chaddock — Chaddock sign (reflex)

channelopathy — channelopathy (ion channel group)

chemodenervation — chemodenervation (procedure)

Child SCAT — Child SCAT (concussion tool)

chorea — chorea (finding)

chorea Sydenham — Sydenham chorea (rheumatic)

choroid plexus anatomy — choroid plexus (anatomy)

chronic migraine — chronic migraine (frequency)

CIDP — chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy

cingulate — cingulate cortex (anatomy)

CIS — clinically isolated syndrome

CIS neuro — clinically isolated syndrome (MS)

CISS — constructive interference in steady state

CJD — Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

clipping — aneurysm clipping (surgical)

clock draw — clock drawing test (cognitive)

clonic seizure — clonic seizure (type)

clonus — clonus (finding)

cluster — cluster headache (diagnosis)

CMAI-SF — Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory Short Form

CMD — congenital muscular dystrophy

CMS genetic — congenital myasthenic syndromes

CMT — Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

CMV congenital — congenital CMV (infection)

CN II-XII — cranial nerves two through twelve (exam phrase)

coiling — aneurysm coiling (endovascular)

cold calorics — cold caloric testing (brainstem)

collaterals — collateral circulation (stroke imaging)

concussion — sports concussion (management)

conus — conus medullaris (anatomy)

conversion — conversion disorder (functional neurological)

convulsive syncope — convulsive syncope (mimic)

cord sign — cord sign (sinus thrombosis)

core — ischemic core (imaging)

corneal reflex exam — corneal reflex (examination)

corpectomy — corpectomy (vertebral body removal)

Cotard — Cotard delusion (nihilistic)

cough headache — primary cough headache (type)

cough reflex exam — cough reflex (examination)

cough syncope — cough syncope (situational)

CP — cerebral palsy

CPC — choroid plexus cauterization

CPM — central pontine myelinolysis

CPM pontine — central pontine myelinolysis (older term)

CPN — common peroneal nerve (common fibular)

CPP — cerebral perfusion pressure

CrAg — cryptococcal antigen

craniectomy — decompressive craniectomy

craniopharyngioma — craniopharyngioma (diagnosis)

cranioplasty — cranioplasty (skull reconstruction)

CRP — canalith repositioning procedure ()

CRPS — complex regional pain syndrome

cryptogenic — cryptogenic stroke (term)

CSE — convulsive status epilepticus

CSF — cerebrospinal fluid

CSF analysis — CSF analysis (profile)

CSF VDRL — CSF Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test

CSI — craniospinal irradiation

CSVT — cerebral sinus venous thrombosis

CSWS — continuous spike-wave in sleep (epilepsy)

CTE — chronic traumatic encephalopathy (concern)

CTH — computed tomography head

CTP — computed tomography perfusion

CTS — carpal tunnel syndrome

cubital release — cubital tunnel release

Cushing triad — Cushing triad (sign)

CV2 — CV2/CRMP5 antibody (paraneoplastic)

CVA — cerebrovascular accident

cVEMP — cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential

CVS — cyclic vomiting syndrome (episodes)

CVT — cerebral venous thrombosis

CVT — sinovenous thrombosis (cerebral)

cyanotic spells child — cyanotic breath-holding spells

DAI — diffuse axonal injury

DaTscan — DaTscan (imaging)

DaTscan — dopamine transporter scan

DBS — deep brain stimulation

DBS implant — deep brain stimulator implantation

DCI — delayed cerebral ischemia (after SAH)

DDNC — death by neurologic criteria (term)

decerebrate — decerebrate posturing (arms extended)

decompressive — decompressive hemicraniectomy (stroke surgery)

decorticate — decorticate posturing (arms flexed)

defecation syncope — defecation syncope (situational)

delayed OH — delayed orthostatic hypotension

dentate ligament — denticulate ligament (anatomy)

dentate nucleus — dentate nucleus (anatomy)

developmental care — developmental care (NICU model)

dialysis disequilibrium — dialysis disequilibrium syndrome

diffuse injury child — hypoxic-ischemic injury (infant)

digit span — digit span (cognitive)

disc edema — optic disc edema

discectomy — discectomy (procedure)

DISCUS — Dyskinesia Identification System Condensed User Scale

Dix — Dix-Hallpike maneuver (test)

DLB — dementia with Lewy bodies

DLD — developmental language disorder

DM1 — myotonic dystrophy type 1

DMD — Duchenne muscular dystrophy

DMT — disease-modifying therapy

DMTs class — disease-modifying therapies (class)

DN4 — Douleur Neuropathique 4

DNT — door-to-needle time (stroke metric)

doll's eyes — oculocephalic reflex (doll's eyes)

door-in-door-out — door-in door-out time (transfer metric)

DOS — Delirium Observation Screening scale

downbeat — downbeat nystagmus (type)

DPN — diabetic peripheral neuropathy

DPN nerve — deep peroneal nerve (deep fibular)

DPT — door-to-puncture time (stroke metric)

Dravet — Dravet syndrome (epilepsy)

DRS-R-98 — Delirium Rating Scale Revised-98

DSA — digital subtraction angiography

DSC — dynamic susceptibility contrast

DSPN — distal symmetric polyneuropathy

DSRS — Dementia Severity Rating Scale

DTI — diffusion tensor imaging

DTR — deep tendon reflex

DTR grade — deep tendon reflex grade

DTs — delirium tremens

DWI — diffusion-weighted imaging

DWI lesion — diffusion lesion (MRI)

dyskinetic CP — dyskinetic cerebral palsy (type)

dyslexia — dyslexia (reading disorder)

dystonia movement — dystonia (movement)

ECA — external carotid artery

ECOG test — electrocochleography (Meniere test)

ECT — electroconvulsive therapy

EDACS — Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System

EDH — epidural hematoma

EDSS — Expanded Disability Status Scale

EEG — electroencephalogram

ELD — external lumbar drainage (NPH trial)

EMG — electromyography

empty delta — empty delta sign (sinus thrombosis)

EMU — epilepsy monitoring unit

ENG — electronystagmography (test)

EOM — extraocular movements

EOM pain — pain on eye movement

EOMI — extraocular movements intact

ependymoma — ependymoma (diagnosis)

Epley — Epley maneuver (treatment)

EPS — extrapyramidal symptoms

ERG — electroretinogram

ESES — electrical status epilepticus in sleep

ESETT trial — ESETT (established status trial)

esotropia — esotropia (inward deviation)

ESS score — Epworth sleepiness scale

ESUS — embolic stroke of undetermined source

ET — essential tremor

eTICI — expanded thrombolysis in cerebral infarction

ETV — endoscopic third ventriculostomy

EV-D68 — enterovirus D68

EVD — external ventricular drain

EVD placement — external ventricular drain placement

EVT — endovascular thrombectomy

exertional headache — primary exercise headache (type)

exotropia — exotropia (outward deviation)

FAB — Frontal Assessment Battery

Fabry — Fabry disease (lysosomal)

facetectomy — facetectomy (facet removal)

Fahn — Fahn-Tolosa-Marin tremor scale

falx — falx cerebri (anatomy)

FAQ cog — Functional Activities Questionnaire (cognitive)

fasciculation — fasciculation (finding)

FAST — face, arms, speech, time

FAST — Functional Assessment Staging (dementia)

FAST scale — Functional Assessment Staging Tool

FBTCS — focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizure

femoral n — femoral nerve (anatomy)

filum — filum terminale (anatomy)

FIM — Functional Independence Measure

FIRES — febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome

first pass — first pass effect (thrombectomy)

FLAIR — fluid-attenuated inversion recovery

FLAIR mismatch — DWI-FLAIR mismatch (stroke timing)

flow diverter — flow diversion (aneurysm)

fMRI — functional magnetic resonance imaging

FND — functional neurological disorder

focal aware — focal aware seizure (type)

focal impaired — focal impaired awareness seizure (type)

foraminotomy — foraminotomy (nerve exit widening)

FOUR — Full Outline of UnResponsiveness (score)

FOUR score — Full Outline of UnResponsiveness score

fourth nerve palsy — fourth nerve palsy (finding)

fourth ventricle — fourth ventricle (anatomy)

FPE abbrev — first pass effect (FPE abbreviation)

fragile X — fragile X syndrome (genetic)

FRDA — Friedreich ataxia

Fregoli — Fregoli delusion (disguise)

frontal lobe — frontal lobe (anatomy)

FSHD — facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy

FTD — frontotemporal dementia

Fukuda — Fukuda stepping test (vestibular)

GABA-B — GABA-B receptor antibody

gag reflex exam — gag reflex (examination)

Galant — Galant reflex (trunk incurvation)

gaze stability — gaze stabilization exercises

gaze-evoked — gaze-evoked nystagmus (type)

GBM — glioblastoma multiforme

GBS — Guillain-Barré syndrome

GBS variants — Guillain-Barré variants (AMAN/AMSAN)

GCA — giant cell arteritis

GCS — Glasgow Coma Scale

GCS eye — Glasgow Coma Scale eye component

GCS motor — Glasgow Coma Scale motor component

GCS verbal — Glasgow Coma Scale verbal component

GDD — global developmental delay

GDS — Global Deterioration Scale (dementia staging)

genitofemoral n — genitofemoral nerve

GFAP — glial fibrillary acidic protein

global delay — global developmental delay (term)

glossopharyngeal — glossopharyngeal neuralgia (throat pain)

GMFCS — Gross Motor Function Classification System

Go/No-Go — go/no-go test (impulsivity)

GP — globus pallidus (anatomy)

GPCOG — General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition

grimace — grimace (response element)

GTC — generalized tonic-clonic seizure (type)

GTCS — generalized tonic-clonic seizure

HA — headache

habituation — habituation exercises (vestibular)

HD — Huntington disease

HE — hepatic encephalopathy

head circumference — occipitofrontal circumference (measurement)

head impulse — head impulse test (vestibular)

head lag — head lag (development sign)

hearing loss child — senso rineural hearing loss (childhood)

hemiplegic migraine — hemiplegic migraine (type)

hemispherotomy — hemispherotomy (epilepsy surgery)

hemorrhagic transformation — hemorrhagic transformation (stroke complication)

hepatic enceph — hepatic encephalopathy (psych presentation)

herniation types — herniation syndromes (uncal/subfalcine/tonsillar)

HIE — hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

HINTS — Head Impulse Nystagmus Test of Skew

HINTS exam — HINTS examination (head impulse nystagmus test of skew)

hippocampus — hippocampus (anatomy)

HIT-6 — Headache Impact Test

HKAFO — hip-knee-ankle-foot orthosis

HNP — herniated nucleus pulposus

Hoffmann — Hoffmann sign (reflex)

honey-thick — honey-thick liquids

Horners — Horner syndrome (sign group)

HSV PCR — herpes simplex virus PCR

Hu ab — anti-Hu antibody (paraneoplastic)

Huntington scale — UHDRS (Unified Huntington Disease Rating Scale)

HY stage — Hoehn and Yahr stage (numbered)

hydrocephalus acute — acute hydrocephalus (complication)

hyperactive delirium — hyperactive delirium (subtype)

hyperPP — hyperkalemic periodic paralysis

hypertonic saline — hypertonic saline (treatment)

hypertropia — hypertropia (vertical deviation)

hypnic — hypnic headache (alarm clock)

hypoactive delirium — hypoactive delirium (subtype)

hypoPP — hypokalemic periodic paralysis

hypothalamus — hypothalamus (anatomy)

hypsarrhythmia — hypsarrhythmia (EEG pattern)

HZ — herpes zoster

IBM — inclusion body myositis

IC anatomy — internal capsule (anatomy)

ICA anatomy — internal carotid artery (anatomy)

ICARS — International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale

ICDSC — Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist

ice test — ice pack test (myasthenia)

ICH — intracerebral hemorrhage

ICH score — ICH score (prognosis)

ICHD — International Classification of Headache Disorders

ICP — intracranial pressure

IDDSI — International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative

IgG index — immunoglobulin G index (CSF)

IIH — idiopathic intracranial hypertension

IIH eye — idiopathic intracranial hypertension (eye findings)

ILAE — International League Against Epilepsy

ilioinguinal n — ilioinguinal nerve

ImPACT — ImPACT (computerized concussion test)

infantile spasms — infantile spasms (epilepsy)

initial OH — initial orthostatic hypotension

INO — internuclear ophthalmoplegia (finding)

insula — insular cortex (anatomy)

interhemispheric — interhemispheric subdural (abuse pattern)

IP H — intraparenchymal hemorrhage (term)

IQCODE — Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline

ischemic monomelic — ischemic monomelic neuropathy (access)

ISI — Insomnia Severity Index

ISS — inferior sagittal sinus

IT — intrathecal

IT pump — intrathecal pump (implant)

IVH — intraventricular hemorrhage

IVH neuro — intraventricular hemorrhage (adult)

IVIG — intravenous immune globulin (treatment)

IVT — intravenous thrombolysis (stroke)

jaw claudication — jaw claudication (symptom)

JCV — JC virus (antibody/PML)

JCV index — JC virus antibody index

JME — juvenile myoclonic epilepsy

KAFO — knee-ankle-foot orthosis

kernicterus — kernicterus (chronic bilirubin injury)

Kernohan — Kernohan notch phenomenon

keto diet — ketogenic diet

King's staging — King's clinical staging (ALS)

King-Devick — King-Devick test (sideline)

LABC — lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve

labyrinthectomy — labyrinthectomy (procedure)

labyrinthitis — labyrinthitis (diagnosis)

lacunar — lacunar stroke (small vessel)

laminectomy — laminectomy (procedure)

laminectomy fusion — laminectomy with fusion

laminoplasty — laminoplasty (hinged lamina)

laminotomy — laminotomy (partial lamina removal)

Landau — Landau reflex (infant posture)

Landau-Kleffner — Landau-Kleffner syndrome (acquired aphasia)

LANSS — Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs

LCCA — left common carotid artery

Lempert — Lempert roll maneuver (BPPV)

lenticulostriate — lenticulostriate arteries

LFCN — lateral femoral cutaneous nerve

LGI1 — LGI1 antibody (encephalitis)

LGMD — limb-girdle muscular dystrophy

LGS — Lennox-Gastaut syndrome

LINAC SRS — linear accelerator radiosurgery

Lindegaard — Lindegaard ratio (vasospasm)

LKW — last known well (stroke time)

LMN — lower motor neuron

LMN signs — lower motor neuron signs (exam)

LOC — level of consciousness

LOC — loss of consciousness

long thoracic n — long thoracic nerve

LP — lumbar puncture

LP child — lumbar puncture (childhood)

LP shunt — lumboperitoneal shunt

LRP4 — LRP4 antibody (myasthenia)

lucid interval — lucid interval (epidural classic)

lumbar plexus — lumbar plexus (anatomy)

Luria — Luria tests (frontal bedside)

LVO — large vessel occlusion

LVO — LVO (large vessel occlusion, shorthand)

lvPPA — logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia

Ma2 — anti-Ma2 antibody (paraneoplastic)

MABC — medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve

MACS — Manual Ability Classification System

MAE — moves all extremities (exam phrase)

malignant MCA — malignant MCA syndrome (swelling)

Marcus Gunn — Marcus Gunn pupil (RAPD eponym)

MAS spasticity — Modified Ashworth Scale

MCA — middle cerebral artery

MCA anatomy — middle cerebral artery (anatomy)

McDonald — McDonald criteria (MS diagnosis)

MCI — mild cognitive impairment

MCI subtypes — mild cognitive impairment (amnestic/non-amnestic)

MDAS — Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale

MDS-UPDRS — MDS Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (score)

median n — median nerve (anatomy)

medulla anatomy — medulla oblongata (anatomy)

medulloblastoma — medulloblastoma (diagnosis)

Meniere — Meniere disease (diagnosis)

MEP — motor evoked potential

MeVO — medium vessel occlusion (stroke)

MFS — Miller Fisher syndrome

MG — myasthenia gravis

MG-ADL — Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (score)

MGFA — Myasthenia Gravis Foundation classification

microdiscectomy — microdiscectomy (microscope)

micturition syncope — micturition syncope (situational)

MIDAS — Migraine Disability Assessment

midbrain — midbrain (anatomy)

migraine aura — migraine with aura (type)

Mini-Cog — Mini-Cog (screen)

miosis — miosis (pupil constriction)

MiToS — Milano-Torino staging (ALS)

mixed delirium — mixed delirium (subtype)

MMA — methylmalonic acid

MMC — myelomeningocele

MMSE — Mini-Mental State Examination

MoCA — Montreal Cognitive Assessment

MoCA-B — MoCA Basic (low literacy version)

MOG — myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody

MOGAD — MOG antibody-associated disease

MOGAD — myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease

MOH — medication overuse headache

Moro — Moro reflex (startle)

MPRAGE — magnetization-prepared rapid gradient echo

MRC grade — Medical Research Council grade

mRS — modified Rankin Scale

MRS — spectroscopy (magnetic resonance)

MS — multiple sclerosis ⚠

MSA — multiple system atrophy

MSFC — Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite

MSLT — multiple sleep latency test

mTBI — mild traumatic brain injury

mTICI — modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction

MuSK — muscle-specific kinase antibody

MVD — microvascular decompression

MWT — maintenance of wakefulness test

mydriasis — mydriasis (pupil dilation)

myoclonic seizure — myoclonic seizure (type)

myoclonus — myoclonus (finding)

myotonia — myotonia (finding)

NAION — non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy

NCD — neurocognitive disorder

NCS — nerve conduction study

NCSE — nonconvulsive status epilepticus

NCV — nerve conduction velocity

NDD — National Dysphagia Diet

NDPH — new daily persistent headache

nectar-thick — nectar-thick liquids

neuroma pain — neuroma (painful nerve end)

NF1 — neurofibromatosis type 1

NF2 — neurofibromatosis type 2

NfL — neurofilament light chain

nfvPPA — nonfluent variant primary progressive aphasia

NIF — negative inspiratory force (monitoring)

NIHSS — National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale

NIRS — cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy (monitoring)

NMDAR ab — anti-NMDA receptor antibody

NMO — neuromyelitis optica

NMOSD — neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder

NMS — neuroleptic malignant syndrome

NMSS — Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (Parkinson)

NORSE — new-onset refractory status epilepticus

NPH — normal pressure hydrocephalus

NPI — Neuropsychiatric Inventory

NPI-Q — Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire

Nu-DESC — Nursing Delirium Screening Scale

nummular — nummular headache (coin-shaped)

nystagmus types — nystagmus (direction types)

OAE — otoacoustic emissions (test)

obturator n — obturator nerve (anatomy)

OCB — oligoclonal bands

occipital lobe — occipital lobe (anatomy)

occipital neuralgia — occipital neuralgia (diagnosis)

ODS — osmotic demyelination syndrome

OFC — occipitofrontal circumference (abbreviation)

OH — orthostatic hypotension (measurement)

ON — optic neuritis

one-and-a-half — one-and-a-half syndrome (eye)

ONH — optic nerve head

onset-to-door — onset-to-door time (stroke metric)

opening pressure — opening pressure (LP measurement)

ophthalmic art — ophthalmic artery

Oppenheim — Oppenheim sign (reflex)

opsoclonus — opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome (dancing eyes)

oVEMP — ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential

P N E S — psychogenic nonepileptic events (term)

p-tau — phosphorylated tau (blood/CSF)

PAINAD — Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia (scale)

painDETECT — painDETECT questionnaire

pallid spells — pallid breath-holding spells (vagal)

palmar grasp — palmar grasp reflex (infant)

PANDAS — pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcus

PANS — pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome

papilledema — papilledema (finding)

parachute — parachute reflex (protective)

paramyotonia — paramyotonia congenita (cold stiffness)

parietal lobe — parietal lobe (anatomy)

PASAT — Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test

PbtO2 — brain tissue oxygen tension

pc-ASPECTS — posterior circulation ASPECTS

PCA — posterior cerebral artery

PCA — posterior cortical atrophy

PCA anatomy — posterior cerebral artery (anatomy)

PCDF — posterior cervical discectomy and fusion

PCOM — posterior communicating artery

PCS — post-concussion syndrome

PD — Parkinson disease

PDPH — post-dural puncture headache

PDQ-39 — Parkinson Disease Questionnaire-39

PEARL — pupils equal and reactive to light

penumbra — ischemic penumbra (imaging)

perforators — perforating arteries (brain)

perilymph fistula — perilymph fistula (diagnosis)

periodic paralysis — familial periodic paralysis (group)

periungual fibroma — periungual fibromas (tuberous sclerosis)

PERLA — pupils equal and reactive to light and accommodation

PERRL — pupils equal, round, reactive to light

PERRLA — pupils equal, round, reactive to light and accommodation

PFO closure — patent foramen ovale closure (stroke)

PHACE — PHACE syndrome (hemangioma association)

phantom pain — phantom limb pain (syndrome)

phenol block — phenol neurolysis (block)

PHN — postherpetic neuralgia

phrenic n — phrenic nerve (anatomy)

PICA — posterior inferior cerebellar artery

PIN — posterior interosseous nerve

pinpoint pupils — pinpoint pupils (finding)

PLEX — plasma exchange (neuro)

PLMD — periodic limb movement disorder

PLMS — periodic limb movements of sleep

PN — peripheral neuropathy

PNES — psychogenic nonepileptic seizures

PNS — peripheral nervous system

PO challenge — oral challenge (feeding)

pons — pons (anatomy)

port-wine — port-wine stain (capillary malformation)

post-concussion — post-concussion symptoms (recovery)

postherpetic — postherpetic neuralgia (diagnosis)

posturing — decorticate/decerebrate posturing (finding)

POTS — postural orthostatic tachycardia (diagnosis)

PPA — primary progressive aphasia

PPMS — primary progressive multiple sclerosis

Prader-Willi — Prader-Willi syndrome (genetic)

PRES — posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome

primary stabbing — primary stabbing headache (ice pick)

primitive reflexes — primitive reflexes (newborn group)

pseudobulbar affect — pseudobulbar affect (symptom)

pseudodementia — pseudodementia (depression mimic)

PSP — progressive supranuclear palsy

PSQI — Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

PTA audiol — pure tone average (audiology)

pudding-thick — pudding-thick liquids

pudendal n — pudendal nerve (anatomy)

putamen — putamen (anatomy)

PVL — periventricular leukomalacia

PWI — perfusion-weighted imaging

pyridostigmine — pyridostigmine (symptomatic)

QMG — Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (score)

QSART — quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test

QST — quantitative sensory testing

radial n — radial nerve (anatomy)

RANO — Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology

RAPD — relative afferent pupillary defect

RAVLT — Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test

RBANS — Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status

RBD — REM sleep behavior disorder

RCCA — right common carotid artery

RCVS — reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome

red flags develop — developmental red flags (warning signs)

reflex decay — acoustic reflex decay (test)

regression develop — developmental regression (loss of skills)

REM — rapid eye movement

retinal hemorrhage child — retinal hemorrhages (abuse evaluation)

Rett — Rett syndrome (neurodevelopmental)

return to learn — return-to-learn (protocol)

return to play — return-to-play (protocol)

rhabdomyoma cardiac — cardiac rhabdomyoma (tuberous marker)

rhizotomy — rhizotomy (nerve root lesioning)

Rinne — Rinne test (tuning fork)

RIS — radiologically isolated syndrome

RLS — restless legs syndrome

RNS — responsive neurostimulation

RNS test — repetitive nerve stimulation (test)

Romberg — Romberg test (balance)

rooting — rooting reflex (feeding)

rotary chair — rotary chair testing (vestibular)

RRMS — relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

rs-fMRI — resting-state functional MRI

RSD — reflex sympathetic dystrophy (older CRPS term)

RSE — refractory status epilepticus

RT-QuIC — real-time quaking-induced conversion

rTMS — repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation

RUDAS — Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale

SAC exam — Standardized Assessment of Concussion

sacral plexus — sacral plexus (anatomy)

SAH — subarachnoid hemorrhage

sandifer — Sandifer syndrome (reflux posturing)

Sanfilippo — Sanfilippo syndrome (MPS III)

saphenous n — saphenous nerve

SARA — Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia

SAS — Simpson-Angus Scale (parkinsonism)

SB — spina bifida

SCA — spinocerebellar ataxia (group)

SCA — superior cerebellar artery

scalp tenderness — scalp tenderness (symptom)

SCAT — Sport Concussion Assessment Tool

SCD — subjective cognitive decline

Schwabach — Schwabach test (tuning fork)

SCI — sciatica

SCI — spinal cord injury

sciatic n — sciatic nerve (anatomy)

SCIWORA — spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality

SCS — spinal cord stimulator (implant)

SDH — subdural hematoma

SDH child — subdural hematoma (infant evaluation)

SDMT — Symbol Digit Modalities Test

SDR — selective dorsal rhizotomy

SDS — speech discrimination score (audiology)

SE — status epilepticus

second impact — second impact syndrome (sports)

SEGA — subependymal giant cell astrocytoma

seizure precautions — seizure precautions (order)

Semont — Semont maneuver (BPPV treatment)

sentinel bleed — sentinel hemorrhage (warning leak)

SEP — somatosensory evoked potential

serial 7s — serial sevens (attention test)

serial casting — serial casting (contracture)

SFEMG — single-fiber EMG (jitter)

SFN — small fiber neuropathy

SFN abbrev — small fiber neuropathy (SFN abbreviation)

shagreen — shagreen patch (tuberous sclerosis)

shaken baby — abusive head trauma (preferred term)

SIB — self-injurious behavior

SIB — Severe Impairment Battery (cognitive)

sigmoid sinus — sigmoid sinus (venous)

single breath count — single breath count test

sixth nerve palsy — sixth nerve palsy (finding)

skew — skew deviation (eye finding)

skin punch — skin punch biopsy (neuropathy)

sleep study child — polysomnography (childhood)

SLP — speech-language pathologist

SLR — straight leg raise (test)

SLUMS — Saint Louis University Mental Status (psych)

SMA — spinal muscular atrophy

SMA genetic — spinal muscular atrophy (genetic)

small fiber — small fiber neuropathy (type)

SN — substantia nigra (anatomy)

spastic CP — spastic cerebral palsy (type)

spasticity — spasticity (management)

spinal accessory n — cranial nerve XI (spinal accessory, anatomy)

SPMS — secondary progressive multiple sclerosis

SPN — superficial peroneal nerve

spot sign — spot sign (CT bleeding)

SRS — stereotactic radiosurgery

SRS brain — stereotactic radiosurgery (brain)

SRSE — super-refractory status epilepticus

SRT — speech reception threshold (audiology)

SSS — superior sagittal sinus

Status epi — status epilepticus

status migrainosus — status migrainosus (prolonged migraine)

stent retriever — stent retriever (thrombectomy device)

stepping reflex — stepping reflex (newborn)

STN — subthalamic nucleus (anatomy)

strabismus — strabismus (misalignment)

straight sinus — straight sinus (venous)

Stroop — Stroop test (attention)

stump pain — residual limb pain (stump)

Sturge-Weber — Sturge-Weber syndrome (vascular)

SUDEP — sudden unexpected death in epilepsy

SUNA — short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks

SUNCT — short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache with conjunctival injection

sundowning — sundowning (term)

supine roll — supine roll test (BPPV)

suprascapular n — suprascapular nerve

sural n — sural nerve (anatomy)

SVC — slow vital capacity (measurement)

svPPA — semantic variant primary progressive aphasia

SWEDD — scans without evidence of dopaminergic deficit

SWI — susceptibility-weighted imaging

swirl sign — swirl sign (hematoma)

syncope types — syncope (reflex/orthostatic/cardiac types)

SZ — seizure

T25FW — Timed 25-Foot Walk

tandem lesion — tandem occlusion (stroke)

tap test — tap test (NPH)

Tay-Sachs — Tay-Sachs disease (lysosomal)

TBI — traumatic brain injury

TCAR — transcarotid artery revascularization

TCD — transcranial Doppler

TD — tardive dyskinesia

tDCS — transcranial direct current stimulation

temporal lobe — temporal lobe (anatomy)

TENS — transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

tensilon — edrophonium test (historical myasthenia)

tentorium — tentorium cerebelli (anatomy)

terminal delirium — terminal delirium (end of life)

TETRAS — The Essential Tremor Rating Assessment Scale

thalamus — thalamus (anatomy)

therapeutic hypothermia — therapeutic hypothermia (cooling)

third nerve palsy — third nerve palsy (finding)

third ventricle — third ventricle (anatomy)

thrombectomy stroke — mechanical thrombectomy (stroke)

thunderclap — thunderclap headache (descriptor)

TIA — transient ischemic attack

tibial n — tibial nerve (anatomy)

tic disorders — tic disorders (Tourette group)

tic douloureux — tic douloureux (trigeminal neuralgia)

tilt table — tilt table test (autonomic)

TLIF — transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion

TLSO — thoracolumbosacral orthosis (brace)

TM — transverse myelitis

TMS — transcranial magnetic stimulation

TMZ — temozolomide (chart shorthand)

TN — trigeminal neuralgia

TNK — tenecteplase (stroke shorthand)

TOAST — TOAST classification (stroke)

toe walking — idiopathic toe walking (habit)

tonic seizure — tonic seizure (type)

TOS — thoracic outlet syndrome

tPA — alteplase (stroke)

tPA — tissue plasminogen activator

TPE — therapeutic plasma exchange

traction — cervical traction (therapy)

trail making — trail making test (cognitive)

transverse sinus — transverse sinus (venous)

traumatic tap — traumatic tap (bloody LP)

tremor types — tremor (rest/action/intention types)

Trendelenburg child — Trendelenburg gait (hip weakness)

trigeminal neuralgia — trigeminal neuralgia (diagnosis)

triple-H — triple-H therapy (historical SAH)

TS — Tourette syndrome

TS — tuberous sclerosis

TSC — tuberous sclerosis complex

TTH — tension-type headache

tympanometry — tympanometry (test)

UB-CAM — Ultra-Brief Confusion Assessment Method

UHDRS — Unified Huntington Disease Rating Scale (score)

ulnar n — ulnar nerve (anatomy)

UM N signs — upper motor neuron signs (exam)

UMN — upper motor neuron

uncal — uncal herniation (type)

Unterberger — Unterberger stepping test

upbeat — upbeat nystagmus (type)

UPDRS — Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale

uremic encephalopathy — uremic encephalopathy (indication)

VA shunt — ventriculoatrial shunt

VaD — vascular dementia

vagus anatomy — vagus nerve (anatomy)

vasospasm — cerebral vasospasm (after SAH)

vasovagal — vasovagal syncope (diagnosis)

VAT — vestibular autorotation test

VEEG — video EEG monitoring (diagnosis)

ventricle lat — lateral ventricle (anatomy)

VEP — visual evoked potential (test)

verbal fluency — verbal fluency test (cognitive)

vert art — vertebral artery

vestibular migraine — vestibular migraine (type)

vestibular neuritis — vestibular neuritis (diagnosis)

VGKC — voltage-gated potassium channel antibody (complex)

vHIT — video head impulse test

VHL — von Hippel-Lindau disease

VN — vestibular neuritis

VNG — videonystagmography (test)

VNS — vagus nerve stimulation

VNS epilepsy — vagus nerve stimulation (epilepsy)

VNS implant — vagal nerve stimulator implantation

VOMS — Vestibular/Ocular-Motor Screening

VP shunt — ventriculoperitoneal shunt

VPA level — valproate level (monitoring)

VPS — ventriculoperitoneal shunt

VRT — vestibular rehabilitation therapy

WAIS-IV — Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV

wake-up stroke — wake-up stroke (presentation)

watershed — watershed infarct (borderzone)

WBRT — whole brain radiation therapy

WCST — Wisconsin Card Sorting Test

WEB — Woven EndoBridge (aneurysm device)

Weber — Weber test (tuning fork)

Williams — Williams syndrome (genetic)

WKS — Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

WNV — West Nile virus

xanthochromia — xanthochromia (CSF finding)

Yo ab — anti-Yo antibody (paraneoplastic)

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Neurology Abbreviations

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