Renal pathology is a term used to describe the study and diagnosis of diseases that affect the kidneys. There are several alternative terms or synonyms that commonly used to refer to renal pathology. Some of these synonyms include, renal disease, kidney disease, renal disorders, renal pathology, and renal dysfunction. Other synonyms include nephritis which refers to inflammation of the kidneys, nephropathy which refers to any disease or damage to the kidneys, and glomerulonephritis which is a type of kidney inflammation caused by damage to the glomeruli (small blood vessels in the kidneys). Furthermore, pyelonephritis is a type of kidney infection that usually begins in the urethra or bladder, and progresses to the kidneys. Finally, interstitial nephritis refers to inflammation of the kidney tissue between the tubules.