Nephrolithiasis means?

• A. Kidney stones
• B. Kidney infection
• C. Bladder stones
• D. Kidney failure

Answer: (A)

Think of the parts nephro-, lith-, and -iasis. Nephro- means kidney, lith- means stone, and -iasis denotes a condition or presence. Put together, nephrolithiasis is the condition of having kidney stones. This term specifically describes stones forming in the kidneys, not an infection, bladder stones, or kidney failure. Kidney stones can cause sharp flank pain and blood in the urine, and they’re diagnosed with imaging and treated with hydration, pain control, and sometimes procedures to remove or break up the stones.