The kidneys are the body’s filter system
The kidneys are the body’s filtration system.
They produce urine to carry the wastes out of the body.
Anatomy
Each person has two kidneys.
Mohammed Haneefa Nizamudeen/iStock/Getty Images
The kidneys are sandwiched between the diaphragm and the intestines, closer to the back side of the abdomen.
Each kidney is connected to the bladder through a ureter.
Together, all of these organs make up the renal system.
Arteries,renal veins, and nerves serve the kidneys.
Blood flows into the kidneys through renal arteries that originate at the aorta.
Each kidney contains about 1.3 million nephrons, which do the filtering work of the kidneys.
While in the tubules, liquid and solutes will diffuse through additional layers of filtration.
The ureters transport urine to the bladder for storage until it is excreted from the body through the urethra.
Associated Conditions
A number ofdiseasesand conditions can impact the function of the kidneys.
Some are genetic and others develop as a result of other diseases or lifestyle choices.
Toxic levels of waste can cause neurologic and/or cardiac problems.
Kidney failurewill require more intensive treatment.
Treatments can include medications or, in severe cases, dialysis.
Dialysis uses an external process to filter blood in place of your kidneys.
Dialysis is usually used until a kidney transplant is possible.
Kidneys can be transplantedfrom living or deceased donors.
Diseased kidneys are sometimes left in place during transplantation, but may be removed in some cases.
Soriano RM, Leslie SW.Anatomy, abdomen and pelvis, kidneys.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Anatomy of the urinary system.
Biga LM, et al.Internal and external anatomy of the kidney.OpenStax/Oregon State University.Anatomy and Physiology.
Mullens W, Nijst P.Cardiac output and Renal dysfunction: Definitely more than impaired flow.J Am Coll Cardiol.
2016;67(19):2209-2212. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2016.03.537
Rabinowitz R, Cubillos J.Kidney Defects.
Biga LM, et al.Physiology of urine formation.OpenStax/Oregon State University.Anatomy and Physiology.
Cleveland Clinic.Kidney disease: Chronic kidney disease.
Gounden V, Jialal, I.Renal function tests.
National Kidney Foundation.Estimated glomerular filtration rate.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Kidney ultrasound.
Cleveland Clinic.Kidney transplant procedure.
National Kidney Foundation.Living with one kidney.
