Kidney structure

Your kidneys are paired organs found on each side of the back portion of the abdominal cavity. The larger left kidney is located a bit higher than the right kidney. Unlike other organs found in the abdomen, the kidneys are located behind the lining (peritoneum) of the abdominal cavity, thus they are considered retroperitoneal organs. These bean-shaped organs are protected by the back muscles and the ribs, as well as the fat (adipose tissue) that surrounds them like a protective padding. Learn more about the kidney structures and functions from this short article. Kidney Structure The bean-shaped kidneys have an outer convex side and an inner concave side called the renal hilus, where the renal artery, vein, and ureter are found. A thin connective tissue called the renal capsule surrounds each kidney. This capsule maintains the kidneys' shape and protects the inner tissues. Inside the renal capsule is the outer layer called the renal cortex, asoft, dense, and vascular tissue. Deep to this layer is the renal medulla, which consists of several renal pyramids, thecone-shaped structures with apices pointing toward the kidney's center. Each apex of the renal pyramid is connected to a minor calyx, a hollow collecting tube for urine. These minor calyces merge and form three major calyces that also merge into the renal pelvis at the hilus of the kidney. From here, urine drains into the larger ureter. Here’s a summary of kidney structure and function based on different parts of the ...

Figure 1. Kidneys filter the blood, producing urine that is stored in the bladder prior to elimination through the urethra. (credit: modification of work by NCI) The kidneys, illustrated in Figure 1, are a pair of bean-shaped structures that are located just below and posterior to the liver in the peritoneal cavity. The adrenal glands sit on top of each kidney and are also called the suprarenal glands. Kidneys filter blood and purify it. All the blood in the human body is filtered many times a day by the kidneys; these organs use up almost 25 percent of the oxygen absorbed through the lungs to perform this function. Oxygen allows the kidney cells to efficiently manufacture chemical energy in the form of ATP through aerobic respiration. The filtrate coming out of the kidneys is called urine. Externally, the kidneys are surrounded by three layers, illustrated in Figure 2. The outermost layer is a tough connective tissue layer called the renal fascia. The second layer is called the perirenal fat capsule, which helps anchor the kidneys in place. The third and innermost layer is the renal capsule. Internally, the kidney has three regions—an outer cortex, a medulla in the middle, and the renal pelvis in the region called the hilum of the kidney. The hilum is the concave part of the bean-shape where blood vessels and nerves enter and exit the kidney; it is also the point of exit for the ureters. The renal cortex is granular due to the presence of nephrons—the functional unit of t...