Kidney diagram

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs in the renal system. They help the body pass waste as urine. They also help filter blood before sending it back to the heart. The kidneys perform many crucial functions, including: • maintaining overall fluid balance • regulating and filtering minerals from blood • filtering waste materials from food, medications, and toxic substances • creating hormones that help produce red blood cells, promote bone health, and regulate blood pressure Nephrons are the most important part of each kidney. They take in blood, metabolize nutrients, and help pass out waste products from filtered blood. Each kidney has about 1 million nephrons. Each has its own internal set of structures. Renal corpuscle After blood enters a nephron, it goes into the renal corpuscle, also called a Malpighian body. The renal corpuscle contains two additional structures: • The glomerulus. This is a cluster of capillaries that absorb protein from blood traveling through the renal corpuscle. • The Bowman capsule. The remaining fluid, called capsular urine, passes through the Bowman capsule into the renal tubules. Renal tubules The renal tubules are a series of tubes that begin after the Bowman capsule and end at collecting ducts. Each tubule has several parts: • Proximal convoluted tubule. This section absorbs water, sodium, and glucose back into the blood. • Loop of Henle. This section further absorbs potassium, chloride, and sodium into the blood. • Distal convoluted tubule...

Your kidneys are bean-shaped organs that are located in the middle of your back against the back muscles, with one on either side of your spine. Your kidneys provide a vital function for your body to filter blood and produce urine. Pain in your upper abdomen or back and sides is also called flank pain or kidney pain. Flank pain can sometimes be an indication of a kidney infection or urinary tract infection. Kidney stones are also a common cause of kidney pain that is felt in the middle back. In some cases of kidney pain, there are a few simple steps to alleviate the pain in your back. However, in general, you should see a doctor for any type of kidney or flank pain to rule out any serious condition that causes the kidney pain. This includes acute, sharp pain that occurs suddenly in one or the other side of your middle back. Advertisement In this article, you will find out all you need to know about the causes of flank pain that are associated with your kidneys. This will help you tell the difference between general back pain and pain that comes from your kidneys. The Location of the Kidneys Your kidneys are two organs about the size of your fist that are shaped like a bean. According to Dr. Charles Patrick Davis on MedicineNet, your kidneys are located just below your rib cage in the back of your abdomen under your liver. Because the largest part of your 1 According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, your kidneys also help 2 Some ways ...

Labeled Diagram of the Human Kidney The human kidneys house millions of tiny filtration units called nephrons, which enable our body to retain the vital nutrients, and excrete the unwanted or excess molecules as well as metabolic wastes from the body. In addition, they also play an important role in maintaining the water balance of our body. The human kidneys house millions of tiny filtration units called nephrons, which enable our body to retain the vital nutrients, and excrete the unwanted or excess molecules as well as metabolic wastes from the body. In addition, they also play an important role in maintaining the water balance of our body. Located in the abdominal cavity, kidneys are the most efficient filters. They are an important component of the human excretory system, and help the body retain essential molecules and get rid of the unwanted ones. They play a vital role in maintaining the composition and volume of body fluids. Cross-section of a Human Kidney • The vital structural components of a kidney are enclosed in a smooth but tough fibrous capsule called renal capsule. • Inside this capsule, two distinct regions can be observed: a pale outer region called renal cortex, and a dark inner portion called renal medulla. • The renal medulla comprises a set of 8-18 conical structures called renal pyramids that are surrounded by the cortex. Portions of the cortex between two adjacent pyramids are termed as renal columns. • Spread in these pyramids and the cortex, are ...