Which term describes a kidney stone?

Which term describes a kidney stone?

• A. Stone
• B. Nephrolith
• C. Nephrolithiasis
• D. Cystolith

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is naming of kidney stones. A kidney stone is most precisely called a nephrolith, built from nephro- meaning kidney and lith meaning stone, so it directly identifies a stone located in the kidney. The other terms refer to different concepts: nephrolithiasis describes the condition of having kidney stones (the disease of stones in the kidney), stone is too generic, and cystolith denotes a stone in a cyst or the bladder rather than in the kidney. So nephrolith is the best term to describe a kidney stone.

The main idea here is naming of kidney stones. A kidney stone is most precisely called a nephrolith, built from nephro- meaning kidney and lith meaning stone, so it directly identifies a stone located in the kidney. The other terms refer to different concepts: nephrolithiasis describes the condition of having kidney stones (the disease of stones in the kidney), stone is too generic, and cystolith denotes a stone in a cyst or the bladder rather than in the kidney. So nephrolith is the best term to describe a kidney stone.