lithotripsy

lithotripsy [lith-uh-trip-see] Word Origin noun, plural lith·o·trip·sies.

1. the pulverization and removal of urinary calculi using a lithotripter.

Origin of lithotripsy 1825–35; litho- + Greek trîps(is) rubbing, wear + -y3; see lithotripter Also called shock wave therapy. British Dictionary definitions for lithotripsy lithotripsy noun

1. the use of ultrasound, often generated by a lithotripter, to pulverize kidney stones and gallstones in situ

Word Origin for lithotripsy C20: from litho- + Greek thruptein to crush Word Origin and History for lithotripsy n.

1834, from litho- + -tripsy, from Greek tripsis “rubbing,” from tribein “to rub, thresh, pound, wear out,” from PIE root *tere- “to rub, turn, twist” (see throw). Klein says the intended Greek word is thryptein “to crush” and there has been “confusion” with tribein.

lithotripsy in Medicine lithotripsy [lĭth′ə-trĭp′sē] n.

1. The procedure of crushing a stone in the urinary bladder or urethra.lithotrity

lithotripsy in Science lithotripsy [lĭth′ə-trĭp′sē]

1. The procedure of crushing a stone in the urinary bladder or urethra by means of a lithotriptor, a device that passes shock waves through a water-filled tub in which the patient sits. The resulting stone fragments are small enough to be expelled in the urine.