What is the medical term for kidney stones?

Prepare for the SkillsUSA Medical Terminology Test. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions that include hints and explanations to boost your confidence for exam success!

Multiple Choice

What is the medical term for kidney stones?

Explanation:
In medical terms, kidney stones are called nephrolithiasis. The prefix nephro- means kidney, lith- means stone, and the suffix -iasis denotes a condition or presence. So nephrolithiasis directly describes stones in the kidney. Urolithiasis is broader, referring to stones anywhere in the urinary tract. Lithiasis is a general term for stone formation without specifying location. Nephrocalcinosis is calcification within kidney tissue, not discrete stones. Therefore, nephrolithiasis is the precise term for kidney stones.

In medical terms, kidney stones are called nephrolithiasis. The prefix nephro- means kidney, lith- means stone, and the suffix -iasis denotes a condition or presence. So nephrolithiasis directly describes stones in the kidney. Urolithiasis is broader, referring to stones anywhere in the urinary tract. Lithiasis is a general term for stone formation without specifying location. Nephrocalcinosis is calcification within kidney tissue, not discrete stones. Therefore, nephrolithiasis is the precise term for kidney stones.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy