Final answer:
Whewellite and weddellite kidney stones are composed of calcium oxalate, the most common material found in kidney stones, which form due to the combination of calcium and oxalate in the urine.
Step-by-step explanation:
Whewellite and weddellite kidney stones are largely composed of calcium oxalate. The common types of kidney stones are categorized by their chemical compositions, with calcium oxalate stones being the most prevalent. These stones form when calcium and oxalate combine in the urine to form calcium oxalate crystals. Conditions that promote the precipitation of these crystals in the urine are linked with the development of calcium oxalate stones. Low-calcium diets, for example, can lead to a higher risk of stone formation as dietary calcium ordinarily binds oxalate in the gastrointestinal tract. Without adequate calcium, more oxalate is absorbed and excreted by the kidneys, where it can promote stone formation.
Kidney stones can also contain calcium phosphate, another common form of kidney stone, which is associated with conditions like hyperparathyroidism and renal tubular acidosis. Nevertheless, whewellite and weddellite specifically refer to calcium oxalate stones.