ANCC Family Nurse Practitioner Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Study Resource

Sialolithiasis is more commonly known as salivary calculi, which refers to the formation of stones or calcified structures within the salivary glands or ducts. These stones can block the flow of saliva, leading to swelling, pain, and potential infection in the affected gland. Understanding this term is essential for healthcare professionals, as it helps in diagnosing conditions related to salivary gland dysfunction.

The other options represent different conditions that are not synonymous with sialolithiasis. Oral thrush is a fungal infection in the mouth, dry mouth syndrome refers to xerostomia, or a lack of salivary production, and a salivary gland infection is often a result of sialolithiasis but does not directly define the presence of stones in the glands. The specificity of the term "salivary calculi" accurately captures the nature of the problem in sialolithiasis.