Lithotriptic is spelled with the pronunciation "li-thuh-trip-tik". In IPA phonetic transcription, it is represented as /ˌlɪθəˈtrɪptɪk/. This medical term refers to a substance or treatment that helps break down kidney stones in the body. The spelling of the word is fairly straightforward, with its three-syllable structure and clear stress on the second syllable. While the word may look intimidating at first glance, with a little practice, it is easy to read and pronounce correctly.
Lithotriptic is an adjective that refers to substances or treatments capable of breaking down or dissolving urinary or biliary calculi, commonly known as stones. Derived from the Greek words "lithos" meaning stone and "triptein" meaning to crush, lithotriptic is primarily used in the medical field to describe medications, procedures, or techniques employed to facilitate the removal or disintegration of these stones for therapeutic purposes.
In urology, lithotriptic treatments are often non-invasive, aiming to avoid surgical intervention. The most common and widely used lithotriptic technique is extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), which utilizes high-energy sound waves to break down kidney stones into smaller pieces that can then be easily passed out of the body through the urinary tract.
Lithotriptic medications, on the other hand, work by altering the chemical composition of stones, making them more soluble or assisting in their breakdown. These medications commonly contain ingredients like citrate, bicarbonate, or certain enzymes that help dissolve the stones over time.
It is important to note that lithotriptic treatments are highly dependent on the specific type, size, and location of the stone, as well as the overall health condition of the patient. Therefore, a thorough evaluation and consultation with a healthcare professional is recommended to determine the most suitable lithotriptic course of action for treating urinary or biliary calculi.
1. Relating to lithotripsy. 2. An agent which effects the solution of a calculus; lithontriptic.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Pert. to.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "lithotriptic" is derived from the Greek terms "lithos" meaning "stone" and "triptikos" meaning "dissolving" or "breaking". These Greek roots accurately describe the purpose of a lithotriptic, which is a substance or treatment that is used to dissolve or break up stones in the body, typically kidney stones or gallstones.