Sialolith
Pronunciation: sy-AL-oh-lith
A calcified concretion (salivary stone) forming within a salivary gland or its duct, commonly causing obstruction and swelling.
Full Definition
A sialolith is a mineralised deposit that develops within the ductal system or parenchyma of a salivary gland, most frequently the submandibular gland and Wharton's duct. Obstruction of salivary flow results in postprandial pain and swelling, a clinical picture known as obstructive sialadenitis. Sialoliths appear radiopaque on plain radiographs and may be managed by conservative hydration techniques, sialendoscopy, or surgical excision. Editors should note the correct singular form 'sialolith' and plural 'sialoliths', and should not confuse this term with 'calculus', which refers specifically to mineralised plaque deposits on tooth surfaces.
Usage
Usage note: Do not use 'salivary calculus' as a synonym in surgical reports without clarification, as 'calculus' more commonly denotes supragingival or subgingival dental deposits.
In Context
- "Bimanual palpation of the floor of mouth identified a firm sialolith within Wharton's duct." — Oral surgery examination note
- "The panoramic radiograph revealed a 12 mm radiopaque sialolith at the hilum of the submandibular gland." — Radiographic report