Final answer:
The term for blood in the urine is hematuria, which can occur due to conditions like nephritis and kidney stones. Hematuria is different from hemoglobinuria, where only hemoglobin is present. The presence of abnormal elements in urine is crucial for diagnosing various diseases.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term used to describe blood in the urine is hematuria. Hematuria can be caused by several medical conditions such as nephritis, trauma, tuberculosis of the kidney, and kidney stones. This is distinct from hemoglobinuria, where only hemoglobin is present in the urine without red blood cells, which can be seen in conditions like malaria, kala-azar, and typhoid.
When urinalysis is performed and white blood cells (WBCs) are found alongside red blood cells (RBCs) in the urine, it can suggest a urinary tract infection or inflammation. On the other hand, conditions like multiple myeloma, leukemia, and Hodgkin's disease can lead to the presence of abnormal proteins such as Bence Jones proteins in the urine, which are a marker for these types of diseases. Therefore, the detection of abnormal elements in urine can be critical for diagnosing a variety of renal and systemic illnesses.