All compounds dissolved in aqueous solution have a threshold concentration at which they are no longer soluble. When this concentration is exceeded, the molecules become supersaturated, at which point they begin to form insoluble crystals. Calcium oxalate, a soluble salt forming the most common type of kidney stones, becomes supersaturated at higher concentrations, forming stones that accumulate in the kidneys or urinary tract.[1]
What causes Kidney Stones?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Kidney stones are caused by the supersaturation of compounds in aqueous solutions, which leads to the formation of insoluble crystals. The most common type of kidney stone, calcium oxalate, forms when its concentration exceeds the solubility threshold, which results in stone accumulation in the kidneys or urinary tract.