Final answer:
The formation of calculi in the salivary ducts is referred to as salivary duct calculus or sialolithiasis, a condition characterized by stone formation that can obstruct saliva flow and cause glandular pain and swelling.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term for the formation of calculi in the salivary ducts is known as salivary duct calculus or sialolithiasis. This condition occurs when minerals from saliva crystallize in the ducts or glands, leading to the formation of stones, known as sialoliths. These calculi can obstruct the flow of saliva, leading to pain, swelling, and sometimes infection of the affected salivary gland. The most common gland to be affected is the submandibular gland due to its long and upward salivary duct, which is less favorable for saliva flow and more prone to stone formation.
Salivary stones are somewhat similar to renal calculi or kidney stones, which are also caused by the crystallization of minerals in body fluids, leading to potential obstruction and pain. However, they form in different locations and have different compositions based on the specific minerals involved.