What is the medical term for gallstones?

The medical term for gallstones is "cholelithiasis." This term is derived from the Greek words "chole," meaning bile, and "lithos," meaning stone. Cholelithiasis specifically refers to the condition in which stones form in the gallbladder, which is an organ that stores bile produced by the liver. The formation of these stones can lead to various digestive issues and can cause inflammation if they obstruct bile ducts, necessitating a deeper understanding of their etiology and potential treatment options.

Cholecystitis refers to the inflammation of the gallbladder, often caused by the presence of gallstones, and is related but not synonymous with gallstones themselves. Cholestasis describes a decrease in bile flow, which is not directly the same as the formation of gallstones. Cholepathia is a less common term that does not specifically refer to gallstones and is not widely recognized in medical terminology. Thus, "cholelithiasis" is the precise term needed to identify gallstones.