Microgram

Microgram

In the metric system, a microgram (µg or mcg) is a unit of mass equal to one millionth (1/1,000,000) of a gram (1 × 10−6), or 1/1000 of a milligram. It is one of the smallest units of mass (or weight) commonly used. The symbol "µg" (mu-g) conforms to the International System of Units and is often used in scientific literature, but the United States-based JCAHO recommends that hospitals do not use this symbol in handwritten orders due to the risk that the symbol µ might be misread as the prefix m, resulting in a thousandfold overdose. The abbreviation mcg is recommended instead.[1]

To type the 'micro' symbol, which is a Greek symbol called mu, in most Windows-based programs hold down the Alt key while typing 2-3-0 on the keypad. On a Mac, hold down the Option key while pressing 'm.' You can also press AltGr + m on most keyboards. Using the font face named "symbol", mu is denoted by a lowercase "m": m.

See also

References


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • microgram — MICROGRÁM, micrograme, s.n. Unitate de măsură a masei egală cu o milionime de gram; gama (3). – Din fr. microgramme. Trimis de LauraGellner, 30.05.2004. Sursa: DEX 98  MICROGRÁM s. v. gama. Trimis de siveco, 13.09.2007. Sursa: Sinonime … …   Dicționar Român

  • microgram — ► NOUN ▪ one millionth of a gram …   English terms dictionary

  • microgram — [mī′krō gram΄] n. 1. one millionth of a gram: symbol, μg 2. MICROGRAPH (sense 2) …   English World dictionary

  • microgram — noun Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary Date: circa 1890 one millionth of a gram see metric system table …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • microgram — n. [Gr. mikros, small; gramma, small weight] One thousandth of a gram …   Dictionary of invertebrate zoology

  • microgram — microgram1 /muy kreuh gram /, n. a unit of mass or weight equal to one millionth of a gram, used chiefly in microchemistry. Symbol: µg Also, esp. Brit., microgramme. [1885 90; MICRO + GRAM2] microgram2 /muy kreuh gram /, n. micrograph (def. 2).… …   Universalium

  • microgram — noun A unit of mass equal to 0.000 001 grams. Symbol: μg or mcg …   Wiktionary

  • microgram — One millionth of a gram. * * * mi·cro·gram mī krə .gram n 1) one millionth of a gram 2) MICROGRAPH (1) * * * n. one millionth of a gram. Symbol: µg. * * * mi·cro·gram (μg) (miґkro gram″) a unit of mass, being one millionth (10−6) …   Medical dictionary

  • microgram — mi|cro|gram Mot Agut Nom masculí …   Diccionari Català-Català

  • micrográm — s. n. (sil. cro gram), pl. micrográme; simb. µg …   Romanian orthography

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