1. hypersecretion of relatively insoluble urinary constituents e.g. hypercalciuria, oxalates, uric acid, phosphates, cystine etc 2. physical changes in urine: urine volume w/ N calciuria conc. of Ca Urinary Mg : Ca ratio Urinary pH Acidic Alkaline - Uric acid - Ca phosphate - Oxalate - Ca carbonate - Mg ammonium sulfate Cont 3. nucleus formation 4. structural abnormalities of the urinary tract [obstruction] The ureters have 3 narrow points where stones are usually found: Pelvi-Ureteric Junction PUJ Pelvic inlet crossing iliac vessels uretero-vesical junction