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Glite Dictionary
salivary calculus

salivary calculus

9.5
A small hard lump that forms inside the parts of the mouth that make saliva
  • noun
  • /ˈsælɪˌvɛri ˈkælkjələs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cálculo salival
  • The dentist discovered a salivary calculus blocking the patient's duct.

Examples

  • Surgery was required to remove the salivary calculus causing severe discomfort.

  • A large salivary calculus can lead to swelling and pain in the mouth.

  • A salivary calculus can cause discomfort in the mouth.

  • The dentist found a salivary calculus during the examination.

  • The dentist discovered a salivary calculus blocking the patient's duct.

  • A large salivary calculus can lead to swelling and pain in the mouth.

  • Surgery was required to remove the salivary calculus causing severe discomfort.

Synonyms

sialolith
vssalivary calculus
  • Specialized
9.9

A hard stone that forms in a gland that makes saliva or its tube

is the same condition named with different technical term
ptyalith
vssalivary calculus
  • Specialized
9.9

A hard stone that forms inside a salivary gland and may block saliva flow

covers stones forming in gland or in the duct rather than only inside gland

Surface Forms

salivary calculus singular
salivary calculi plural

Morphology

salivary + calculus

The meaning 'a stone-like deposit in a salivary gland or duct' is directly and compositionally derived from 'salivary' (related to saliva/glands) + 'calculus' (a concretion or stone). Although somewhat technical vocabulary, the adjective+noun structure is transparent and mirrors similar medical constructions in many languages, so a learner who knows both constituents would be able to infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Salivary calculus comes from two parts: salivary for the saliva gland and calculus meaning a 'small stone', because the deposit is hard like a stone in the gland. So salivary calculus refers to a hard, stone-like build-up that can 'block' a salivary duct and cause pain.