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The Kidney Anatomy.

By Peter Jumba

 The Human Kidneys: What You Need To Understand.



Image Description: Kidney Anatomy Infographic
This is a medical illustration infographic titled "Kidney" created by the Cleveland Clinic. It is divided into three distinct visual sections that explain the location and structure of the human kidney.

1. The Urinary System (Top Section)
An illustration of a human torso shows the placement of the urinary system organs. Lines point to specific parts with the following labels:

Adrenal gland: The small, yellowish gland sitting on top of the kidney.

Kidney: The bean-shaped, reddish-brown organ.

Ureter: The tube connecting the kidney to the bladder.

Bladder: The sac located in the pelvic area where urine collects.

2. Internal Structure Legend (Middle Left Section)
A simplified, color -coded cross -section of a kidney is shown alongside a legend to identify distinct regions:

Yellow: Capsule (The outer protective layer).

Pink: Cortex (The outer region inside the capsule).

Orange: Medulla (The inner region containing the renal pyramids).

Green: Pelvis (The central funnel-shaped cavity leading to the ureter).

3. Detailed Anatomy (Bottom Right Section)
A larger, detailed cross-section of the kidney illustrates the blood flow and internal structures.

Vascular System:

Renal artery: A red vessel branching into the kidney to supply blood.

Renal vein: A blue vessel carrying filtered blood away from the kidney.

Tiny vessels that filter blood: Fine branching lines shown within the cortex and medulla.

Internal Structures:

Papilla: The tip of a renal pyramid where urine drains.

Ureter: The yellow tube extending from the kidney pelvis downwards.

Footer: The image bears the logo "Cleveland Clinic ©2022" in the bottom left corner.

The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs, each roughly the size of a fist, located on either side of the spine just below the rib cage. They are essential for survival and perform several vital functions in the body. 

Key Functions:

The main job of the kidneys is to act as a sophisticated filtering system for your blood. 


  • Filter Waste: They filter waste products, toxins, and excess water from the blood, which are then excreted from the body as urine (pee).


  • Balance Minerals and Fluids: Kidneys regulate the levels of essential minerals (electrolytes) in the body, such as sodium, potassium, and calcium, and maintain the body's overall fluid balance.


  • Produce Hormones: They produce hormones that control other critical functions, including:


  • Regulating blood pressure.


  • Stimulating the bone marrow to produce red blood cells (via erythropoietin).


  • Maintaining strong bones by activating Vitamin D. 

Anatomy:

Each kidney contains about a million tiny functional units called nephrons. Blood flows into the kidneys through the renal artery, gets filtered within the nephrons, and the cleaned blood returns to the body via the renal vein. The waste collected as urine travels through tubes called ureters to the bladder, where it is stored until urination. 

Health:

Properly functioning kidneys are vital for overall health. Conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure increase the risk of kidney disease. If kidney failure occurs, treatment options include dialysis or a kidney transplant. Most people can live a healthy life with just one functioning kidney, as the remaining kidney can increase its workload to compensate. 

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