Table of Contents
In pharmacy practice, the mortar and pestle are essential tools used for grinding, crushing, and mixing medications. Understanding the terminology associated with these tools enhances communication and efficiency in pharmaceutical compounding and preparation. This glossary provides definitions of key terms related to mortar and pestle use in pharmacy.
Basic Terms
Mortar: A bowl-shaped vessel, typically made of ceramic, glass, or stone, used to hold substances during grinding or mixing.
Pestle: A club-shaped tool, usually made of the same material as the mortar, used to crush, grind, or pulverize substances within the mortar.
Types of Mortar and Pestle
Ceramic Mortar and Pestle: Commonly used for grinding chemicals that are sensitive to moisture or heat. They are durable and non-porous.
Stone Mortar and Pestle: Made from granite or marble, ideal for grinding hard substances and providing stability.
Glass Mortar and Pestle: Used for mixing liquids or powders that require a non-reactive surface.
Key Terms and Concepts
Grinding: The process of reducing a substance to fine particles by crushing or rubbing.
Pulverization: The act of turning a substance into a fine powder, often achieved with a mortar and pestle.
Crushing: Applying pressure to break down larger particles into smaller pieces.
Mixing: Combining different substances uniformly, often after grinding or pulverizing.
Procedural Terms
Triturate: To grind or crush substances into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle.
Levigation: The process of grinding a substance with a liquid to form a smooth paste or slurry.
Sieving: Passing ground material through a sieve to separate particles by size.
Material and Maintenance Terms
Porosity: The measure of how much a material’s surface contains tiny holes or pores, affecting its suitability for grinding certain substances.
Cleaning: The process of removing residues from the mortar and pestle to prevent cross-contamination.
Sanitization: Disinfection of mortar and pestle to eliminate bacteria or other pathogens, especially important in pharmaceutical settings.
Additional Terms
Powder: Finely ground material obtained through pulverization or grinding.
Granules: Coarser particles than powder, often produced during initial grinding stages.
Homogenization: Achieving uniform distribution of components within a mixture.