Lesson: Chapter 6 — Human body processes

Disorders of the urinary system 2 of 2

Kidney and bladder stones

Salts in urine can crystallise into hard stones in the kidneys or the bladder.

Too little water, and too much of foods rich in oxalate or calcium, favour them. A stone blocking a ureter causes severe pain.

Treatment — lithotripsy

Shock waves from outside the body break the stone into small pieces, which then leave with the urine. Large stones are removed by surgery.