LES
Abbreviation with 3 meanings
| Stands for | Lower esophageal sphincter |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 3 |
| Categories | Medical, Military, Geography & Places |
LES has three meanings. The most common are Lower esophageal sphincter (gastroenterology) and Leave and Earnings Statement (military term); it can also stand for Lower East Side.
Meanings of LES at a glance
| # | LES stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lower esophageal sphincter | Medical › Gastroenterology |
| 2 | Leave and Earnings Statement | Military › Military Term |
| 3 | Lower East Side | Geography & Places › City and Neighborhood |
1. Lower esophageal sphincter
Medical · Gastroenterology Abbreviations
Ring of smooth muscle at the junction of the esophagus and stomach that stays contracted at rest to prevent reflux and relaxes on swallowing. Abnormal relaxation underlies GERD, while failure to relax causes achalasia.
Example: Manometry: hypertensive LES with impaired relaxation, IRP 28 mmHg, type II achalasia.
Also called the gastroesophageal sphincter or, inaccurately, the cardiac sphincter. Fat, chocolate, alcohol, caffeine and nicotine lower its pressure. Fundoplication and magnetic sphincter augmentation reinforce it surgically. Its counterpart at the top of the esophagus is the upper esophageal sphincter (UES).
2. Leave and Earnings Statement
Military · Military Term Abbreviations
Monthly statement showing a service member's pay, allowances, deductions, taxes, Thrift Savings Plan contributions and leave balance. It is viewed online through the myPay system run by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service.
Example: Check your LES to make sure the new BAH rate posted after the move.
Every block of the LES has a meaning, and service members are told to review it monthly to catch pay errors early. Leave is shown in days earned, used and remaining; members earn 2.5 days of leave per month. Pronounced as letters.
3. Lower East Side
Geography & Places · City and Neighborhood Abbreviations
Manhattan neighborhood that was the arrival point for generations of immigrants, now known for nightlife, galleries and historic delis. The Tenement Museum preserves the history of its crowded 19th-century apartment buildings.
Example: We ended the night at a cocktail bar on the LES.
Katz's Delicatessen has served pastrami on the Lower East Side since 1888. LES can also refer to the larger area including Chinatown and the East Village in older usage.
Related abbreviations
More gastroenterology abbreviations
- IBS-C – Irritable bowel syndrome with predominant constipation
- IBS-D – Irritable bowel syndrome with predominant diarrhea
- IPAA – Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis
- LBO – Large bowel obstruction
- LGIB – Lower gastrointestinal bleeding
- MASH – Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis
- MASLD – Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease
- MELD – Model for End-Stage Liver Disease
See all 85 gastroenterology abbreviations →
More military term abbreviations
- JTAC – Joint terminal attack controller
- JWICS – Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System
- KIA – Killed in action
- LD – Line of departure
- LOAC – Law of armed conflict
- LOD – Line of duty
- LZ – Landing zone
- MARPAT – Marine Pattern
See all 248 military term abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.