Choledocholithotripsy is a medical procedure used to remove gallstones from the bile ducts. The word is derived from Greek and Latin roots, with "chole" meaning "bile," "docho" meaning "duct," "litho" meaning "stone," and "tripsy" meaning "to crush." The phonetic transcription for this word is /kəˌlēdəˌkōləˈthätərəpˌsē/, with stress on the second syllable. Despite its complex spelling and pronunciation, choledocholithotripsy is a common procedure and has a high success rate for removing gallstones.
Choledocholithotripsy is a medical procedure that involves the non-surgical removal or fragmentation of stones that are blocking the common bile duct, a tube that carries bile from the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine. The term is derived from three components: choledocho-, litho-, and -tripsy.
Choledocho- refers to the common bile duct, which is the central channel that connects the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine. It plays a vital role in the transportation of bile, a fluid that aids in the digestion of fats.
Litho- is a prefix that refers to stones or calculi. In the context of choledocholithotripsy, it denotes the presence of stones or gallstones within the common bile duct. These stones can cause significant pain and obstruct the flow of bile.
- Tripsy is a suffix derived from the Greek word "tripsis," meaning "friction" or "rubbing." In medical terminology, it is utilized to indicate the process of crushing, breaking, or fragmenting calculi or stones.
In combination, choledocholithotripsy refers to a procedure in which stones are broken down or crushed within the common bile duct, typically using minimally invasive techniques such as endoscopy. This allows for the removal or passage of the stone fragments, relieving the blockage and restoring the normal flow of bile. Choledocholithotripsy can help alleviate symptoms such as abdominal pain, jaundice, and pancreatitis, and is an alternative approach to open surgery for the treatment of choledocholithiasis.
Crushing of a gallstone in the common duct by manipulation without opening of the duct.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "choledocholithotripsy" is derived from the combination of several Greek and Latin roots:
1. Choledocho-: Derived from the Greek word "kholedokhos", which means "common bile duct".
2. -litho-: Derived from the Greek word "lithos", meaning "stone".
3. -tripsy: Derived from the Greek word "tripsis" which means "rubbing" or "friction".
Therefore, the word "choledocholithotripsy" can be broken down as follows:
- "Choledocho-" refers to the common bile duct.
- "Litho-" refers to stone.
- "Tripsy" refers to the procedure of crushing or breaking down.
In medical terminology, "choledocholithotripsy" refers to the procedure of fragmenting or breaking down gallstones within the common bile duct.