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urinary calculus

urinary calculus

7.2
A hard stone that forms in the kidney and can block urine
  • noun
  • /ˈjʊrɪˌnɛri ˈkælkjələs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cálculo urinario
  • The patient was diagnosed with a urinary calculus after experiencing severe pain.

Examples

  • A large urinary calculus can sometimes block the flow of urine, requiring surgical intervention.

  • The doctor diagnosed her with a urinary calculus.

  • Doctors often use ultrasound to detect a urinary calculus in the kidney.

  • Many patients suffer from urinary calculi each year.

  • Many people with a family history of urinary calculus are advised to drink plenty of water.

  • He experienced severe pain and was diagnosed with a urinary calculus in his kidney.

  • The doctor explained that urinary calculus can lead to serious complications if left untreated.

Synonyms

kidney stone
vsurinary calculus
18 3.7

A hard mass that forms in the kidney and often causes pain when you pee

is the general term stressing stones in the urinary tract rather than symptoms
urolith
vsurinary calculus
  • Specialized
9.9

A hard stone that forms in the bladder or tubes that carry urine

focuses more on stones forming especially in the kidney
nephrolith
vsurinary calculus
  • Specialized
9.5

A hard stone that forms in the kidney

is broader and used for stones across the urinary tract
renal calculus
vsurinary calculus
  • Specialized
6.8

A hard stone that forms in the kidney can block the flow of urine

is similar but emphasizes stones in the wider urinary passages
concretion
vsurinary calculus
  • Specialized
9.8

A hard lump of mineral salt that forms inside an organ like the kidney

is specific to parts that carry or store urine, especially the kidney

How Big

urinary calculus
  • Specialized
7.2
gravel
99 1.4
crystal
  • Specialized
61 3.6
sand
485 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

urinary + calculus

The meaning is directly compositional: 'urinary' (related to urine/urinary tract) + 'calculus' (a stone-like concretion) yields a stone formed in the urinary system. Although somewhat medical register, the constituent meanings combine predictably and similar constructions exist cross-linguistically, so a learner who knows both words would understand the phrase.

Etymology

Urinary calculus comes from when calculus meant a small stone or pebble and urinary pointed to the body's urine system. So the phrase paints the picture of a small hard stone in the kidney or bladder, which is why it means 'a stone in the urinary tract' today.