lithotripsy

American

[lith-uh-trip-see] / ˈlɪθ əˌtrɪp si /

noun

the pulverization and removal of urinary calculi using a lithotripter.

lithotripsy British

/ ˈlɪθəʊˌtrɪpsɪ /

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

lithotripsy Scientific

/ lĭth′ə-trĭp′sē /

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.

Etymology

Origin of lithotripsy

1825–35; litho- + Greek trîps ( is ) rubbing, wear + -y ³; see lithotripter

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Higher-strength waves or pulses are also used in lithotripsy, a common medical procedure to break up kidney stones.

From BBC • Jun. 20, 2024

Founded in 2009, Shockwave focuses on intravascular lithotripsy technology that uses sonic pressure waves to crack calcium lesions in arteries and restore blood flow.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 5, 2024

“You start asking, ‘Are we going to buy a laser lithotripsy machine and use it once?

From New York Times • Sep. 1, 2014

Examples: shock wave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, American College of Surgeons certification as level 1 or 2 pediatric trauma center.

From US News • Jun. 2, 2010

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023