How Do You Spell CHOLEDOCHOLITHIASIS?

1. Choledocholithiasis is a medical condition characterized by the presence of gallstones in the common bile duct, which is a small tube that carries bile from the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine. The term is derived from the combination of three words; Choledocho- refers to the common bile duct, -litho- means stone, and -lithiasis refers to the presence of stones in the body.

   Gallstones, or choledocholiths, are formations made of cholesterol, bilirubin, and calcium salts that can vary in size and shape. When these stones migrate from the gallbladder, through the cystic duct, and into the common bile duct, they can cause a blockage or obstruction. The blockage restricts the flow of bile, leading to various symptoms such as abdominal pain, jaundice, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, and pale stools. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications such as infections, pancreatitis, and liver damage.

   Diagnosis of choledocholithiasis is typically made using imaging techniques such as ultrasound, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Treatment options vary depending on the severity of the condition but may include medication to dissolve the stones, nonsurgical techniques such as ERCP with stone removal, or surgical procedures like laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) combined with common bile duct exploration.

   Overall, choledocholithiasis is a condition characterized by the presence of gallstones in the common bile duct, causing blockage and potentially leading to various symptoms and complications if left untreated.

2. The presence of a gallstone in the common bileduct.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for CHOLEDOCHOLITHIASIS

The word "choledocholithiasis" is derived from several Greek and Latin roots. Here is a breakdown of its etymology:

1. "Chole-" is derived from the Greek word "chole" meaning "bile".

2. "Docho-" is derived from "dochós", a Greek word that means "duct" or "channel".

3. "-litho-" comes from the Greek word "lithos" meaning "stone".

4. Lastly, "-iasis" is a suffix used in medical terminology denoting "the presence of".

Combining all these roots, "choledocholithiasis" literally means "the presence of stones in the bile ducts". It is a medical term used to describe the condition in which stones (calculi) develop in the common bile duct, obstructing the flow of bile.