calculi

A doctor examines a kidney calculi on an X-ray film.

Definition

1. Noun (plural of ):
   • Mathematics: "calculi" refers to the plural form of "calculus," denoting various mathematical systems or methods of computation. In this sense, it is less common than "calculuses."
   • Medicine: "calculi" refers to abnormal concretions (stones) formed within the body, such as kidney stones or gallstones. This is the more frequent usage.

Usage Examples

• Mathematics:

  • The professor taught both differential and integral calculi in the advanced course. (Various systems of calculus.)
  • Modern engineering relies on several calculi for modeling complex systems. (Different mathematical methods.)

• Medicine:

  • The patient was diagnosed with renal calculi. (Kidney stones.)
  • Ultrasound revealed multiple biliary calculi in the gallbladder. (Gallstones.)

Advanced Usage

• "Urinary calculi": stones formed in the urinary tract.

  • Urinary calculi can cause severe pain during passage. (Kidney or bladder stones.)

• "Calculi formation": the process by which stones develop in the body.

  • Dehydration increases the risk of calculi formation. (The creation of stones.)

Variants and Related Words

• Calculus (n, singular): a stone or a mathematical method.

  • He studied calculus in high school. (The branch of mathematics.)

• Calculous (adj): relating to or characterized by calculi.

  • The patient had a calculous gallbladder. (Containing stones.)

• Calculosis (n): a condition of having multiple calculi.

  • Calculosis is common in certain regions with hard water. (Presence of stones.)

Synonyms

• Stones (medical): concretions in the body.
  • The doctor removed the stones from the kidney. (Calculi.)
• Concretions (medical): hard masses formed in tissues.
  • Biliary concretions are often asymptomatic. (Gallstones.)

Related Idioms

• No common idioms: "calculi" is a technical term and does not appear in idiomatic expressions. However, the singular "calculus" appears in the idiom "calculus of decision": a systematic way of evaluating choices.
  • The politician applied a calculus of decision to the policy change. (A rational method of weighing options.)