Pathological Calcification

• can occur anywhere in the body in tissue which do not normally mineralise when circulating levels of Ca²⁺ and PO₄^3- are increased
• can when tumours of parathyroid gland produce excess parathyroid hormone, or when excessive resorption of bone occurs (eg. tumour in bone)

• occurs with normal levels of calcium and phosphate in tissues where nuclei allow mineral to precipitate
• such nuclei occurs in degenerating or necrotic tissue
• eg. atherosclerosis, infarcts, tumours, injured tissues

• occurs within body cavities where degenerating or necrotic cells or micro-organisms provide nuclei for mineral deposition
• eg. urinary tract (uroliathiasis), biliary tract (cholelithiasis) and salivary glands (sialolithiasis)
• stone formation is not only facilitated by but also likely to lead to:
• obstruction of flow
• infection
• inflammation and ulceration

Category: Pathology Notes