US Medical Term · conditions
Gallstones
Cálculos biliares
Also: Piedras en la vesícula (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Gallstones |
| Spanish (Español) | Cálculos biliares |
| Chinese (中文) | 膽結石 |
| Korean (한국어) | 담석증 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Sỏi mật |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Gallstones |
| Portuguese (Português) | Cálculos biliares |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | นิ่วในถุงน้ำดี |
| Japanese (日本語) | 胆石症 |
What it means
Gallstones are hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder, a small organ beneath the liver that stores bile. Bile is a digestive fluid that helps break down fats. Gallstones form when bile contains too much cholesterol, too much bilirubin, or insufficient bile salts. Many gallstones cause no symptoms. However, when a stone blocks a bile duct, it triggers sudden and intense pain in the upper right abdomen (called biliary colic), often following a fatty meal. Complications include gallbladder infection and inflammation. Risk factors include obesity, female sex, pregnancy, rapid weight loss, and high-fat diet. Treatment for symptomatic gallstones is usually surgical removal of the gallbladder.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I have been having sharp pain in my upper right abdomen after eating and my doctor suspects gallstones.
He tenido dolor agudo en la parte superior derecha del abdomen después de comer y mi médico sospecha cálculos biliares.
An ultrasound confirmed I have gallstones and my surgeon recommended removing my gallbladder.
Un ultrasonido confirmó que tengo cálculos biliares y mi cirujano recomendó extirpar la vesícula.
Does my insurance cover laparoscopic gallbladder surgery for gallstones?
¿Mi seguro cubre la cirugía laparoscópica de vesícula por cálculos biliares?
Where you'll see it
Related ICD-10-CM category
K80 CholelithiasisRelated terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026