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Riñones

Renes

Bean-shaped and positioned retroperitoneally on either side of the vertebral column between T12 and L3, the kidneys filter roughly 180 liters of blood each day to produce one to two liters of urine. Beyond filtration, they regulate fluid balance, electrolyte concentration, acid-base balance, and blood pressure, and they secrete erythropoietin and activate vitamin D. Each kidney holds about one million nephrons, its functional filtering units, and its hilum transmits the renal artery, renal vein, and ureter; the right kidney sits slightly lower than the left because of the liver. Chronic kidney disease may progress to end-stage renal failure requiring dialysis or transplantation. Nephrolithiasis, or kidney stones, causes severe pain, and renal cell carcinoma is the most common kidney cancer.

Órganos en forma de judía situados retroperitonealmente a ambos lados de la columna vertebral, a la altura de T12-L3. El riñón derecho se sitúa ligeramente más bajo debido a la presencia del hígado. Cada riñón contiene aproximadamente 1 millón de nefronas, las unidades funcionales de filtración. El hilio renal da paso a la arteria renal, la vena renal y el uréter.

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Tipo Organ
Sistema corporal Urinario
Región corporal Abdomen
Nombre latino Renes
FMA ID 7203

Función

Filtran aproximadamente 180 litros de sangre al día, produciendo entre 1 y 2 litros de orina. Regulan el equilibrio hídrico, la concentración de electrolitos, el equilibrio ácido-base y la presión arterial. Producen eritropoyetina y activan la vitamina D.

Significado clínico

La enfermedad renal crónica afecta a millones de personas en todo el mundo y puede progresar a una enfermedad renal terminal que requiera diálisis o trasplante. Los cálculos renales (nefrolitiasis) causan dolor intenso. El carcinoma de células renales es el cáncer renal más frecuente.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the kidneys?

The kidneys are paired, bean-shaped organs of the urinary system responsible for filtering blood, maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance, and producing urine. Each kidney contains approximately one million nephrons as its functional filtering units.

Where are the kidneys located?

The kidneys are located retroperitoneally on either side of the vertebral column at the T12–L3 level. The right kidney sits slightly lower than the left due to the presence of the liver above it.

What is the function of the kidneys?

The kidneys filter blood through nephrons to remove waste products and excess substances, which are excreted as urine. They also regulate blood pressure, fluid balance, electrolyte levels, and red blood cell production via erythropoietin.

What conditions may be associated with the kidneys?

The kidneys may be involved in conditions such as chronic kidney disease, nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), glomerulonephritis, and polycystic kidney disease. The renal hilum, which transmits the renal artery, vein, and ureter, is a common site of pathological obstruction.

What do the kidneys look like?

Each kidney is a reddish-brown, bean-shaped organ roughly 10–12 cm in length with a concave medial border—the renal hilum. On cross-section or imaging, the outer cortex, inner medulla with renal pyramids, and central renal pelvis are distinguishable.

References

  1. Foundational Model of Anatomy — FMA:7203 Reference anatomy ontology (University of Washington)

Aviso médico

Este contenido es solo para fines educativos e informativos. No pretende ser un sustituto del consejo médico profesional, diagnóstico o tratamiento. Siempre busque el consejo de su médico u otro proveedor de salud calificado ante cualquier pregunta que pueda tener sobre una condición médica. Nunca ignore el consejo médico profesional ni demore en buscarlo debido a algo que haya leído en este sitio web.

Educational Disclaimer

This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical decisions.

Data sources: Terminologia Anatomica, Foundational Model of Anatomy, Wikidata.