Kidneys

Renes

Bean-shaped organs located retroperitoneally on either side of the vertebral column at the T12-L3 level. The right kidney sits slightly lower due to the liver. Each kidney contains approximately 1 million nephrons, the functional filtering units. The renal hilum transmits the renal artery, vein, and ureter.

Type Organ
Système corporel Urinary
Région corporelle Abdomen
Nom latin Renes
FMA ID 7203

Fonction

Filter approximately 180 liters of blood daily, producing 1-2 liters of urine. Regulate fluid balance, electrolyte concentration, acid-base balance, and blood pressure. Produce erythropoietin and activate vitamin D.

Signification clinique

Chronic kidney disease affects millions worldwide and may progress to end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis or transplantation. Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis) cause severe pain. Renal cell carcinoma is the most common kidney cancer.

Questions fréquentes

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.

Structures associées

primitive urogenital sinus fetal UGS prostate field prostate primordium renal pelvis kidney pelvis renal pelvis/ureter renal pelvis and ureter renal tubule renal tubule (generic) allantois of embryonic urinary system allantois cloacal membrane embryonic cloacal membrane basal cell layer of urothelium basal cell layer of uroepithelium

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