the use of ultrasound, often generated by a lithotripter, to pulverize kidney stones and gallstones in situ
Word origin
C20: from litho- + Greek thruptein to crush
lithotripsy in American English
(ˈlɪθəˌtrɪpsi)
nounWord forms: pluralˈlithoˌtripsies
a noninvasive medical procedure in which ultrasound generated by a machine (ˈlithoˌtripter) pulverizes kidney stones or gallstones into small pieces that can be excreted