DIP
Abbreviation with 2 meanings
| Stands for | Distal interphalangeal (joint) |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 2 |
| Categories | Medical, Science & Engineering |
DIP has two meanings. It stands for Distal interphalangeal (joint) (anatomy) or Dual in-line package (electronics & electrical).
Meanings of DIP at a glance
| # | DIP stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Distal interphalangeal (joint) | Medical › Anatomy |
| 2 | Dual in-line package | Science & Engineering › Electronics & Electrical |
1. Distal interphalangeal (joint)
Medical · Anatomy Abbreviations
Joint closest to the fingertip, between the middle and distal phalanges. Bony enlargements of the DIP joints, called Heberden nodes, are typical of osteoarthritis, and psoriatic arthritis also targets these joints, whereas rheumatoid arthritis usually spares them.
Example: Heberden nodes at multiple DIP joints; nodal hand OA.
Mallet finger, the inability to straighten the fingertip, results from disruption of the extensor tendon at the DIP joint and is treated with continuous splinting for about six to eight weeks. Jersey finger, avulsion of the flexor tendon at the same joint, needs surgery. Psoriatic DIP disease often comes with nail pitting.
2. Dual in-line package
Science & Engineering · Electronics & Electrical Abbreviations
Rectangular chip package with two parallel rows of pins spaced 0.1 inch apart, designed for through-hole mounting or insertion into sockets and breadboards. DIP chips such as the 555 timer and 7400-series logic were the standard of electronics for decades.
Example: The 8-pin DIP version of the op-amp fits straight into the breadboard.
DIP packages were developed in the 1960s, with Fairchild and Texas Instruments among early adopters. Most new chips come only in surface-mount packages, but DIPs remain popular for education and hobby projects. DIP switches, small banks of switches in the same format, set configuration options on circuit boards.
Related abbreviations
More anatomy abbreviations
- CMC – Carpometacarpal (joint)
- CN – Cranial nerve
- CNS – Central nervous system
- CVA – Costovertebral angle
- DP – Dorsalis pedis (artery or pulse)
- DRG – Dorsal root ganglion
- EAC – External auditory canal
- ECA – External carotid artery
See all 70 anatomy abbreviations →
More electronics & electrical abbreviations
- CPLD – Complex programmable logic device
- CT – Current transformer
- DAC – Digital-to-analog converter
- DC – Direct current
- DMM – Digital multimeter
- DPDT – Double-pole, double-throw
- DSO – Digital storage oscilloscope
- EDA – Electronic design automation
See all 82 electronics & electrical abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.