What does the term "hematuria" mean?

Hematuria refers to the presence of blood in the urine. This condition can be a symptom of various underlying medical issues, ranging from urinary tract infections to more serious conditions such as kidney stones, glomerulonephritis, or tumors in the urinary tract. Identifying hematuria is crucial in clinical practice, as it prompts further investigation to determine the cause of the bleeding.

The other options describe different urinary conditions: involuntary leakage of urine is known as incontinence, painful urination is called dysuria, and an infection in the urinary tract can manifest with various symptoms, including hematuria, but is not defined by the presence of blood alone. Understanding these distinctions is important in the assessment and diagnosis of genitourinary issues.