Trituratio

Trituratio is a Latin term meaning "grinding" or "crushing." In a medical context, it refers to the process of reducing a solid substance into a fine powder. This is often achieved by using a mortar and pestle. The purpose of trituration is typically to increase the surface area of the substance, which can improve its dissolution rate or its ability to be absorbed. It is a common technique in pharmaceutical compounding, where active ingredients may need to be finely ground before being mixed with excipients to form a dosage form like a tablet or capsule. In pharmacology, trituration can also refer to the process of diluting a potent drug by mixing it with an inert substance, such as lactose, in a specific ratio. This allows for more accurate and safer dispensing of small quantities of highly active compounds. The term can also be found in other fields, such as mineralogy, where it describes the mechanical breakdown of rocks and minerals into smaller particles.