Gallstones and kidney stones are two major types of stones that develop in the body. However, they are not the same. They have differences in stone components and the organs where they develop are different, as well.
Gallstones develop in the gallbladder
The gallbladder a small, pear-shaped structure located underneath the liver. The gallbladder stores bile, which is a fluid substance composed of water, cholesterol, fats, bile salts, proteins, and bilirubin. It is made by the liver and stored in the gallbladder until the body needs it. Two types of gallstones can develop, the cholesterol stones and pigment stones. (Learn more about Gallstones.)
Kidney stones form in the kidney
Kidney stones develop in the in the kidney. They form when substances in the urine harden to form stones. Many people develop small kidney stones that easily pass through the urinary tract without causing any symptoms. However, when they become large enough that they can lodge in smaller urinary tract structures, symptoms will occur. [Learn more about Kidney Stones at www.kidneyhealthcare.com].
Sources:
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC) site
Kidney Health Care (KHC) site
Tortora, G. and Grabowski, S.: PRINCIPLES OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. 10th ed. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2003.
Seeley, R. et al: ESSENTIALS OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. 5th ed. McGraw – Hill, 2005.
Page Last Revised: August 26, 2011
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Gallstones develop in the gallbladder
The gallbladder a small, pear-shaped structure located underneath the liver. The gallbladder stores bile, which is a fluid substance composed of water, cholesterol, fats, bile salts, proteins, and bilirubin. It is made by the liver and stored in the gallbladder until the body needs it. Two types of gallstones can develop, the cholesterol stones and pigment stones. (Learn more about Gallstones.)
Kidney stones form in the kidney
Kidney stones develop in the in the kidney. They form when substances in the urine harden to form stones. Many people develop small kidney stones that easily pass through the urinary tract without causing any symptoms. However, when they become large enough that they can lodge in smaller urinary tract structures, symptoms will occur. [Learn more about Kidney Stones at www.kidneyhealthcare.com].
Sources:
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC) site
Kidney Health Care (KHC) site
Tortora, G. and Grabowski, S.: PRINCIPLES OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. 10th ed. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2003.
Seeley, R. et al: ESSENTIALS OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. 5th ed. McGraw – Hill, 2005.
Page Last Revised: August 26, 2011
[Top of Page]
