Kidney Stone and Related Terms
calcium (KAL-see-um):
A mineral salt that the body needs for making strong bones and teeth. Calcium may form stones in the kidney.
cystine (SIS-teen):
It is a type of amino acid found in the blood and urine. Amino acids are building blocks of protein. It is found in most tissues of the body and are found in many foods.(See also cystine stone and cystinuria.)
cystine stone:
A rare form of kidney stone that forms from the amino acid cystine.
cystinuria (SIS-tih-NOO-ree-uh):
A condition in which urine contains high levels of the amino acid cystine. If cystine does not dissolve in the urine, it can build up to form kidney stones.
cystoscope (SIS-tuh-skope):
A tool for examining the bladder. The procedure is called cystoscopy (sis-TAH-skuh-pee).
extracorporeal (EKS-truh-kor-POR-ee-ul) shockwave lithotripsy (LITH-oh-TRIP-see) (ESWL):
A nonsurgical procedure using shock waves to break up kidney stones.
hematuria (HEE-muh-TOOR-ee-uh):
Blood in the urine, which can be a sign of a kidney stone, glomerulonephritis, or other kidney problem.
hypercalciuria (HY-per-kal-see-YOO-ree-uh):
Abnormally large amounts of calcium in the urine.
hyperoxaluria (HY-per-ox-uh-LOO-ree-uh):
Unusually large amounts of oxalate in the urine, leading to kidney stones.
intravenous (IN-truh-VEE-nus) pyelogram (PY-loh-gram) (IVP):
An x ray of the urinary tract. A dye is injected to make the kidneys, ureters, and bladder visible on the x ray and show any blockage in the urinary tract.
kidney (KID-nee):
One of the two bean-shaped organs that filter wastes from the blood. The kidneys are located near the middle of the back. They create urine, which is delivered to the bladder through tubes called ureters.
kidney stone:
A stone that develops from crystals that form in urine and build up on the inner surfaces of the kidney, in the renal pelvis, or in the ureters.
lithotripsy (LITH-oh-TRIP-see):
A method of breaking up kidney stones using shock waves or other means.
nephrolithiasis (NEF-roh-lih-THY-uh-sis):
See kidney stones.
nephrologist (nef-RAHL-oh-jist):
A doctor who treats patients with kidney problems or hypertension.
nephron (NEF-rahn):
A tiny part of the kidneys. Each kidney is made up of about 1 million nephrons, which are the working units of the kidneys, removing wastes and extra fluids from the blood.
oxalate (AHK-suh-late):
A chemical that combines with calcium in urine to form the most common type of kidney stone (calcium oxalate stone).
percutaneous (PER-kyoo-TAY-nee-us) nephrolithotomy (NEF-roh-lih-THAH-tuh-mee):
A method for removing kidney stones via keyhole surgery through the back.
renal (REE-nul) tubular (TOOB-yoo-lur) acidosis (ASS-ih-DOH-sis):
A defect in the kidneys that hinders their normal excretion of acids. Failure to excrete acids can lead to weak bones, kidney stones, and poor growth in children.
struvite (STROO-vite) stone:
A type of kidney stone caused by infection.
ureteroscope (yoo-REE-tur-uh-scope):
A tool for examining the bladder and ureters and for removing kidney stones through the urethra. The procedure is called ureteroscopy (yoo-ree-tur-AH-skoh-pee).
ureters (YOOR-uh-turs):
Tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
urethra (yoo-REE-thrah):
The tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
uric (YOOR-ik) acid stone:
A kidney stone that may result from a diet high in animal protein. When the body breaks down this protein, uric acid levels rise and can form stones.
urinalysis (yoor-in-AL-ih-sis):
A test of a urine sample that can reveal many problems of the urinary tract and other body systems. The sample may be observed for color, cloudiness, concentration; signs of drug use; chemical composition, including glucose; the presence of protein, blood cells, or germs; or other signs of disease.
urinary tract infection (UTI):
An illness caused by harmful bacteria growing in the urinary tract.
urolithiasis (YOOR-oh-lih-THY-uh-sis):
Stones in the urinary tract.
Source: National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. NIH Publication No. 03–4359, May 2003
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