A deposit on the teeth (see calculus, dental) or a small, hard, crystalline mass that is formed in a body cavity from certain substances in fluids such as bile, urine, or saliva. Calculi can occur in the gallbladder and bile ducts (see gallstones), the kidneys, ureters, or bladder (see calculus, urinary tract), or in the salivary ducts.
A concretion formed in any part of the body usually compounds of salts of organic or inorganic acids
n. (pl. calculi) 1. a stone: a hard pebble-like mass formed within the body, particularly in the gall bladder (see gallstone) or anywhere in the urinary tract (see cystolithiasis; nephrolithiasis; staghorn calculus). Calculi in the urinary tract are commonly composed of calcium oxalate and are usually visible on X-ray examination. Some of these stones cause pain if they are associated with obstruction and prevent urine flow in the ureter or kidney, or by direct irritation of the bladder. Stones passing down a duct (such as the ureter) cause severe colicky pain. Most stones pass spontaneously, but some need to be broken into smaller pieces, usually by extracorporeal *lithotripsy, and the remainder by endosurgical techniques (see litholapaxy) or rarely by open surgery. Calculi may also occur in the ducts of the salivary glands. 2. a calcified deposit that forms on the surface of a tooth that is covered with dental *plaque as a result of poor oral hygiene. Supragingival calculus forms above the *gingivae (gums), principally in relation to the openings of the salivary gland ducts. Subgingival calculus forms beneath the crest of the gingivae. Calculus hinders the cleaning of teeth and its presence contributes to *gingivitis and *periodontal disease. A link has been demonstrated between increased calculus levels and infective *endocarditis.
a solid pathological concentration (or ‘stone’), usually of inorganic matter in a matrix of protein and pigment, formed in any part of the body.
A branched renal stone formed in the image of the collecting system of the kidney (see KIDNEYS). It ?lls the calyces and pelvis and is commonly associated with an infection of the urine, particularly Proteus vulgaris. The calculus may lead to pyonephrosis and an ABSCESS of the kidney.... staghorn calculus
A hard, crust-like deposit (also known as tartar) found on the crowns and roots of the teeth. Calculus forms when mineral salts in saliva are deposited in existing plaque. Supragingival calculus is a yellowish or white deposit that forms above the gum margin, on the crowns of teeth near the openings of salivary gland ducts. Subgingival calculus forms below the gum margin and is brown or black. Toxins in calculus cause gum inflammation (see gingivitis), which may progress to destruction of the supporting tissues (see periodontitis). Calculus is removed by professional scaling. Attention to oral hygiene reduces recurrence.... calculus, dental
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