What does trituration involve in pharmaceutical practice?

Trituration is a fundamental process in pharmaceutical practice that specifically focuses on grinding solid particles into a fine powder. This technique is essential for ensuring that the active ingredients in medications are consistently and uniformly dispersed, which is crucial for achieving the desired therapeutic effect. By reducing the particle size, trituration increases the surface area of the substances, enhancing their dissolution and bioavailability when administered.

The process typically involves using a mortar and pestle, which allows for careful control over the grinding process. This level of refinement is particularly important for compounding pharmacists, as it ensures that the active ingredients can be accurately measured and effectively incorporated into formulations, such as tablets, creams, or powders.

Trituration is distinct from other processes mentioned in the options. Adding solvents pertains more to solution preparation, while mixing liquids with liquids involves emulsification or solubilization, neither of which relates directly to the grinding of solids. Heating powders to form a paste does not align with the definition of trituration, as this would imply a change in physical state or consistency rather than merely reducing particle size.