Which term denotes kidney stone formation?

• A. Pyelonephritis
• B. Nephrolithiasis
• C. IUD
• D. Miscarriage

Answer: (B)

Nephrolithiasis is the medical term for kidney stone formation. Nephro- means kidney, lith- means stone, and -iasis denotes a condition or process. Put together, it literally describes the condition of having stones in the kidney. The other terms refer to different things: pyelonephritis is a kidney or renal pelvis infection, an IUD is a contraception device placed in the uterus, and miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy. So nephrolithiasis specifically identifies the stone disease of the kidney.