Calculus (redirected from Intro calc.)

calculus /cal·cu·lus/ (kal´ku-lus) pl. cal´culi   [L.] an abnormal concretion, usually composed of mineral salts, occurring within the animal body.cal´culous

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biliary calculus  gallstone.

dental calculus  calcium phosphate and carbonate, with organic matter, deposited on tooth surfaces.

lung calculus  one formed in the bronchi by accretion about an inorganic nucleus, or from calcified portions of lung tissue or adjacent lymph nodes.

oxalate calculus  a urinary calculus made of calcium oxalate; some have tiny sharp spines and others are smooth.

renal calculus  one in the kidney.

salivary calculus 

1. sialolith.

2. supragingival c.

struvite calculus  a urinary calculus of crystals of struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate).

supragingival calculus  that covering the coronal surface of the tooth to the crest of the gingival margin.

urinary calculus  one in any part of the urinary tract.

uterine calculus  uterolith; a concretion in the uterus.

vesical calculus  one in the urinary bladder.

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cal·cu·lus (klky-ls)

n. pl. cal·cu·lus·es or cal·cu·li (-l)

1. An abnormal concretion in the body, usually formed of mineral salts and most commonly found in the gallbladder, kidney, or urinary bladder. Also called stone.

2. Dental tartar.

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Calculus

Any type of hard concretion (stone) in the body, but usually found in the gallbladder, pancreas and kidneys. They are formed by the accumulation of excess mineral salts and other organic material such as blood or mucous. Calculi (pl.) can cause problems by lodging in and obstructing the proper flow of fluids, such as bile to the intestines or urine to the bladder.

Mentioned in: Abdominal Ultrasound, Oral Hygiene

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calculus (dental) (kal´kyls),

n a hard deposit on the exposed surfaces of the teeth and any oral prosthesis within the oral cavity. It is composed of calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, magnesium phosphate, and other elements within an organic matrix composed of plaque, desquamated epithelium, mucin, microorganisms, and other debris. Factor in the initiation and continuation of periodontal disease. The colloquial term is tartar.

Advanced calculus.

calculus, identification of, by air application,

n the use of compressed air to dry the periodontium and visualize minimal amounts of calculus, which are otherwise difficult to see, especially subgingivally.

calculus record,

n a written accounting of the number and distribution of calculus deposits on tooth surfaces that becomes part of the patient's permanent chart and is used to monitor progress and plan treatment.

calculus, subgingival,

n the calculus deposited on the tooth structure and found apical to the gingival margin within the periodontal pocket. Usually darker and denser than supragingival calculus. Older term is
serumal calculus.

calculus, supragingival,

n the calculus deposited on the teeth coronal to the gingival margin. Usually lighter in color (unless stained) and less dense than subgingival calculus. Older term is
salivary calculus.

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calculus

pl. calculi [L.] an abnormal concretion, usually composed of mineral salts, occurring within the animal body, chiefly in the hollow organs or their passages. Called also stones, as in kidney stones (urolithiasis) and gallstones. See also hippomanes.

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biliary calculus

a gallstone.

bronchial calculus

see bronchial calculus.

dental calculus

mineralized deposits of calcium phosphate and carbonate, with organic matter, deposited on tooth surfaces. Found commonly in dogs and cats, sometimes in horses, rarely in sheep. May initiate caries and peridontal disease.

lung calculus

a concretion formed in the bronchi. See also bronchial calculus.

pancreatic calculus

very small (4 to 5 mm) calculi in pancreatic ducts, rare and of no pathogenic importance.

prostatic calculus

concretions of calcium phosphates and carbonates in the prostatic ducts are rare and of no clinical significance.

renal calculus

see urolithiasis.

salivary calculus

white, hard, laminated concretions in the salivary duct; a sialolith. Occurs most commonly in horses.

urethral calculus

a calculus lodged in the urethra causes obstruction of the urethra with a potential for causing rupture of the bladder or perforation of the urethra and leaking of urine into subcutaneous or retroperitoneal sites. See also urolith, urolithiasis.

urinary calculus

a calculus in any part of the urinary tract. See urolithiasis.

vesical calculus

a urolith in the urinary bladder.

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calculus Plural, calculi Dentistry Tartar Indurated, yellow–brown/black deposits on teeth formed by bacteria in dental plaques from mineralized calcium salts in saliva and subgingival transudates Kidneys A stone in the urinary tract. See Mulberry calculus, Staghorn calculus.