metastatic calcification

{{Short description|Deposition of calcium salts in tissue due to excess calcium in blood}}

Metastatic calcification is deposition of calcium salts in otherwise normal tissue, because of elevated serum levels of calcium,{{cite web |url=http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/CINJHTML/CINJ048.html |title=Cell Injury }} which can occur because of deranged metabolism as well as increased absorption or decreased excretion of calcium and related minerals, as seen in hyperparathyroidism.

In contrast, dystrophic calcification is caused by abnormalities or degeneration of tissuesMiller, J. D. Cardiovascular calcification: Orbicular origins. Nature Materials 12, 476-478 (2013). resulting in mineral deposition, though blood levels of calcium remain normal. These differences in pathology also mean that metastatic calcification is often found in many tissues throughout a person or animal, whereas dystrophic calcification is localized. File:Cardiovascular calcification - Sergio Bertazzo.tif

Metastatic calcification can occur widely throughout the body but principally affects the interstitial tissues of the vasculature, kidneys, lungs, and gastric mucosa. For the latter three, acid secretions or rapid changes in pH levels contribute to the formation of salts.{{Cite web|url=http://gamma.wustl.edu/bs139te145.html|title = MIR Teaching file case bs139}}