TRITURATION Meaning and
Definition
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Trituration is a term commonly used in the fields of pharmacy and chemistry to describe a process of reducing substances into a fine powder through grinding or rubbing. This technique is typically employed when working with substances that are difficult to dissolve or mix into a solution using traditional methods.
In pharmacy, trituration is often utilized to prepare homogenous mixtures of different pharmaceutical ingredients. By grinding the substances together, trituration helps ensure that the resulting powder has a uniform composition, allowing for more accurate dosing and better distribution of the active ingredients. This process is particularly useful when compounding medications or preparing powders for oral, topical, or parenteral administration.
Trituration is frequently carried out using a mortar and pestle, as the grinding action provided by these tools helps break down the substances into smaller particles. The repeated motion of rubbing and crushing the solid materials against the walls and base of the mortar facilitates the desired trituration effect.
Additionally, trituration is also utilized in various other scientific and industrial settings. For example, in the field of chemistry, it can be employed to pulverize solid chemicals to increase their surface area, thereby enhancing their reactivity in various reactions. Trituration may also be used in the preparation of cosmetic products, pigments, and food additives.
Overall, trituration plays a crucial role in facilitating the efficient and thorough dispersion of substances, ultimately leading to improved dissolution, mixing, and blending in various scientific applications.
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1. Trituratio. 2. The act of reducing a drug to a fine powder, and at the same time incorporating it thoroughly with sugar of milk, by rubbing the two together in a mortar.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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The act of reducing to a fine powder.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Etymology of TRITURATION
The word "trituration" comes from the Latin verb "triturare", which means "to grind" or "to crush". This Latin word is derived from the noun "tritura", which refers to the act of grinding or crushing grain. Ultimately, the Latin term is believed to have originated from the Proto-Indo-European root "*tere-" meaning "to rub" or "to turn". In its medical sense, "trituration" specifically refers to the process of grinding or pulverizing substances to create a fine powder or homogeneous mixture.
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