Knowing the Kidney

Knowing the Kidney - The kidneys are organs of excretion in vertebrates shaped like peanuts. As part of the urinary system, kidney function filter wastes (especially urea) from the blood and threw it together with water in the form of urine. Branch of medicine that studies the kidneys and the disease is called nephrology.

Kidneys Location

Human beings have a pair of kidneys are located behind the stomach or abdomen. The kidneys are located on the right and left spine, below the liver and spleen. At the top (superior), the kidney is an adrenal gland (also called the suprarenal gland).

The kidneys are retroperitoneal, which means that lie behind the peritoneum lining the abdominal cavity. Both kidneys are located in the vicinity of vertebrae T12 to L3. Right kidney usually lies slightly below the left kidney to make room for the heart.

Some of the top of the kidneys are protected by the eleventh and twelfth ribs. Both kidneys wrapped by two layers of fat (perirenal and pararenal fat) which help reduce shock.

Kidney Structure

In adults, each kidney has a length of about 11 cm and 5 cm thick, weighing about 150 grams. Kidneys have a shape like a bean with the indentation facing the inside. In each kidney is an opening called the hilum of the renal artery that connects, renal vein, and ureter.