Anatomy and Physiology II Practice Test

Lithotripsy is the procedure that specifically utilizes ultrasound waves to break up kidney stones into smaller fragments. This technique allows the stones to be removed more easily from the urinary tract, either by natural passage or through subsequent medical interventions. The use of ultrasound in lithotripsy helps to minimize damage to surrounding tissues while effectively targeting the stones with focused energy, which disrupts their structure.

In contrast, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a diagnostic imaging technique that does not involve treatment for stones. Nephrectomy refers to the surgical removal of a kidney, which is unrelated to the treatment of kidney stones. Dialysis is a procedure used to remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys are not functioning properly, but it does not address kidney stones directly. Thus, lithotripsy is uniquely suited for the non-invasive treatment of kidney stones using ultrasound technology.