The Kidney

The kidneys are part of the urinary system. There are 2 kidneys in the body, one on
either side of the spine under the lower ribs, deep inside the upper part of the
abdomen. The ureters are thin tubes that connect each kidney to the bladder. They
are about 2530 cm (1012 in) long. The urethra is a small tube that connects the
bladder to the outside of the body. There is an adrenal gland just above each kidney.
The adrenal glands are part of the endocrine systemendocrine systemThe group of
glands and cells in the body that make and release hormones (which control many
functions such as growth, reproduction, sleep, hunger and metabolism) into the
blood..

Structure
The kidneys are bean-shaped organs. They are about 12 cm (45 in) long, 6 cm (23
in) wide and 3 cm (12 in) thick. A layer of fatty tissue holds the kidneys in place
against the muscle at the back of the abdomen.

Gerotas fascia is a thin, fibrous tissue on the outside of the kidney. Below Gerotas
fascia is a layer of fat.
The renal capsule is a layer of fibrous tissue that surrounds the body of the kidney,
inside the layer of fat.
The cortex is the tissue just under the renal capsule.
The medulla is the inner part of the kidney.
The renal pelvis is a hollow area in the centre of each kidney where urine collects.
The renal artery brings blood to the kidney.
The renal vein takes blood back to the body after it has passed through the kidney.
The renal hilum is the area where the renal artery, renal vein and ureter enter the
kidney.
The nephrons are the millions of small tubes inside each kidney. Each nephron has 2
parts. Tubules are tiny tubes that collect the waste materials and chemicals from
the blood moving through the kidney. The corpuscles contain a clump of tiny blood
vessels called glomeruli that filter the blood as it moves through the kidney. The
waste products are passed through the tubules to the collecting ducts, which drain
into the renal pelvis.
Function

The main function of the kidneys is to filter water, impurities and wastes from the
blood.
The blood from the body enters the kidneys through the renal arteries. Once in the
kidney, the blood passes through the nephrons, where waste products and extra
water are removed. The clean blood is returned to the body through the renal veins.
The waste products filtered from the blood are then concentrated into urine. The
urine is collected in the renal pelvis. The ureters move the urine to the bladder,
where it is stored. Urine is passed out of the bladder and the body through the
urethra.
The kidneys also act as endocrine glands. They make these hormoneshormonesA
substance that regulates specific body functions, such as metabolism, growth and
reproduction.:
Erythropoietin (EPO) stimulates the bone marrow to make red blood cells.
Calcitriol, a form of vitamin D, helps the colon absorb calciumcalciumA
mineral that the body uses to build and maintain bones, teeth and connective
tissues (tissue that surrounds and supports various organs in the body), and
is essential in metabolism and the functioning of nerves and muscles. from
the diet.
Renin helps control blood pressure.