How Do You Spell GASTROLITH?

1. A gastrolith refers to a dense, usually smooth, often polished stone-like concretion that is commonly found in the stomach or digestive system of certain animals, particularly birds or dinosaurs. Derived from the combination of the Greek words 'gastro', meaning stomach, and 'lithos', meaning stone, a gastrolith is typically formed by the accumulation of minerals consumed by the animal, which remain in the stomach and gradually solidify over time. These stones can vary in composition, color, and size, ranging from tiny pebbles to large, egg-sized formations.

   Gastroliths primarily serve as a digestive aid for animals lacking grinding teeth or possessing weak gastric mechanisms. These stones fulfill crucial functions such as facilitating the mechanical breakdown of food through grinding or crushing within the stomach. They aid in the digestion of tough plant materials, skeletal remains, or hard-shelled organisms that would otherwise be difficult to break down. Gastroliths also act as a weight regulator, supporting efficient digestion and providing stability for flight or movement.

   Fossil evidence suggests that gastroliths were particularly prevalent in certain groups of dinosaurs, such as herbivorous species, and can provide valuable insights into their feeding habits and environments. Additionally, gastroliths have been observed in modern-day birds, such as ostriches or chickens, which utilize these stones in a similar manner to their prehistoric counterparts.

2. A concretion in the stomach, a gastric calculus.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for GASTROLITH

The word "gastrolith" is derived from two Greek words: "gastro", meaning stomach, and "lithos", meaning stone.

Plural form of GASTROLITH is GASTROLITHS