Inflammation of the glomerular membrane in the nephrons, causing it to become leaky

• A. Nephritis
• B. Nephrosclerosis
• C. Pyelonephritis
• D. Glomerulonephritis

Answer: (D)

Inflammation of the glomerulus, the tiny filtering units in the nephron, is described as glomerulonephritis. The glomerular filtration barrier normally keeps large molecules like proteins and cells out of the urine, but when inflamed it becomes leaky, allowing protein and red blood cells to pass into the urine. That specific localization and effect matches glomerulonephritis. Nephritis is a broader term for kidney inflammation, nephrosclerosis refers to hardening of kidney vessels, and pyelonephritis is infection of the kidney pelvis and surrounding tissue.