Final answer:
The term glomerul/o in glomerulonephritis denotes the glomerulus, a crucial part of the nephron in the kidney responsible for filtering blood. Glomerulonephritis involves the inflammation of these glomeruli, leading to reduced filtration efficiency and various symptoms like proteinuria, hematuria, and edema.
Step-by-step explanation:
The combining form of glomerul/o in glomerulonephritis refers to the glomerulus, which is a dense network of capillaries located within the nephron of a kidney. The glomerulus is integral for the body's fluid and electrolyte balance, playing a crucial role in the filtration of blood. This process, known as glomerular filtration, allows for the removal of waste products and excess substances from the blood while retaining the necessary components like certain electrolytes.
In the condition known as glomerulonephritis, these glomeruli become inflamed, hampering their ability to filter blood effectively. Symptoms of glomerulonephritis can include excessive protein presence in urine (proteinuria), hematuria (blood in urine), heightened blood pressure, and fluid retention leading to swelling (edema) of the face, hands, and feet. This inflammation can be triggered by a variety of conditions, including autoimmune diseases such as Goodpasture's syndrome, Wegener’s granulomatosis, or systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus nephritis).