text: Kidney stones (renal calculi or nephrolithiasis) are pieces of minerals found in the kidneys. They may stay in the kidney or travel out of the body through the urinary tract—the tubes that connect the kidney to the bladder (ureters) and lead outside the body (urethra). When traveling through the urinary tract, a stone may cause no pain or cause great pain and other symptoms. Kidney stones usually do not cause any long-term damage to the urinary tract. You can read more at these links\nhttp://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/stonesadults/\nhttp://www.medicinenet.com/kidney_stone/article.htm\nhttp://www.urologychannel.com/kidneystones/index.shtml