SIALOLITH Meaning and
Definition
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A sialolith is a specific medical term denoting a small, hard calcified structure or stone that forms within the salivary glands or their ducts. It is usually composed of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate, and can vary in size, ranging from a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter. Sialoliths primarily occur in the major salivary glands, namely the parotid gland (found near the ear), the submandibular gland (located beneath the jaw), and the sublingual gland (present under the tongue).
The formation of sialoliths typically arises when saliva flow becomes obstructed due to a variety of factors, including dehydration, trauma, bacterial infection, or the presence of a foreign body. Over time, the stagnant saliva accumulates minerals, leading to the formation of a hard stone-like structure within the salivary glands or ducts. This can cause symptoms such as localized pain, swelling, tenderness, and difficulty in opening the mouth or swallowing.
In order to treat sialoliths, various medical interventions may be employed. Conservative measures include increasing fluid intake, applying warm compresses, and massaging the affected gland to promote saliva flow and facilitate stone expulsion. If these methods prove ineffective, a healthcare professional may need to manually extract the sialolith or employ minimally invasive procedures such as sialoendoscopy or lithotripsy. In rare cases of persistent pain or recurrent sialoliths, surgical removal of the affected gland may be necessary.
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A salivary calculus or concretion.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for SIALOLITH
- aialolith
- zialolith
- xialolith
- dialolith
- eialolith
- wialolith
- sualolith
- sjalolith
- skalolith
- soalolith
- s9alolith
- s8alolith
- sizlolith
- sislolith
- siwlolith
- siqlolith
- siakolith
- siapolith
- siaoolith
Etymology of SIALOLITH
The word "sialolith" is derived from two Greek roots: "sialo-" which means "saliva" and "-lith" which means "stone".
The term "sialo-" comes from the Greek word "sialon" (σίαλον), meaning "saliva" or "spittle". It is derived from "siazein" (σιάζειν), which means "to dribble" or "to let drool".
The suffix "-lith" also originates from Greek, specifically from the word "lithos" (λίθος), meaning "stone". The term is used in medical terminology to describe the formation of a calcified or mineralized stone or concretion in a specific location, in this case, within the salivary gland or its duct.
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