HUMAN KIDNEY

• Kidneys are vital organs found in the human body.

• The kidneys play important role in maintaining the body's overall health and homeostasis.

• Each kidney is made up of millions of tiny functional units called nephrons.

• Nephrons are responsible for filtering the blood and producing urine.

• Kidney produce hormones such as erythropoietin which stimulates the production of red blood cells (RBC) in the bone marrow.

• Kidney is responsible for various job in the body.

ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY OF KIDNEY

# LOCATION OF KIDNEY:

• Located on both sides of the spine, below the rib cage.

# POSITION OF KIDNEY:

• Kidney are positioned high in the abdomen, just below the diaphragm.

# STRUCTURE OF KIDNEY:

• Kidneys are bean-shaped and approximately the size of a fist.

# BLOOD SUPPLY OF KIDNEY:

• Kidney receive blood through the renal arteries.

• Blood is filtered and purified within the kidneys before being returned to circulation via the renal veins.

FUNCTION OF KIDNEY

1. Filtration :

• The primary function of the kidneys is to filter waste products, excess water, and toxins from the bloodstream.

2. Electrolyte Balance:

• The kidneys also regulate the concentrations of electrolytes such as –

  • Sodium

  • Potassium

  • Calcium

  • Magnesium

  • Phosphate

3. Acid-Base Balance:

• The kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining the acid-base balance (pH) of the body. It ensuring that the pH of bodily fluids remains within a narrow range.

4. Blood Pressure Regulation:

• The kidneys are involved in regulating blood pressure.

• They produce a hormone called rennin. The rennin activates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS).

5. Hormone Production:

• Kidneys produce hormones like erythropoietin (EPO) that stimulate red blood cell production.

6. Vitamin D Activation:

• The kidneys are involved in converting inactive vitamin D into its active form.