Guiding Questions
What are the kidneys?
What are the parts of the kidneys?
What are the functions of the kidneys?
Overview
The kidneys are an important part of the urinary (excretory) system. They are two bean-shaped organs located near both sides of the spine, right below the rib cage. The kidneys act like filters for the body. They clean the blood by removing waste, extra water, and toxins. They are then turned into urine and sent to the bladder.
Parts of the Kidneys
The kidneys have a few main parts that help them do their job.
- The renal capsule is a thin outer covering that protects the kidney.
- The renal cortex is the outer layer of the kidney where blood filtration begins.
- The renal medulla is the inner part of the kidney. It has pyramid-shaped structures that help move urine toward the center of the kidney.
- The renal pelvis is an area that collects urine and sends it into the ureter.
- The kidneys have tiny filtering units known as nephrons. Each kidney has millions of nephrons that work together to clean the blood.
Functions of the Kidneys
The kidneys help the body in many ways:
- Remove waste and extra water from the blood
- Balance fluids and electrolytes in the body
- Help regulate blood pressure
- Support overall body health
Medical Tests
Doctors can check kidney health through urine and blood tests. These tests show how well the kidneys are working and detect problems like dehydration, infection, or kidney disease.
Review
- How many kidneys does the human body have? Two
- What is the main function of the kidneys? To filter waste from the blood
- What are the tiny filtering units inside the kidneys called? Nephrons
- What part of the kidney collects urine before it goes to the ureter? The renal pelvis
- Where does blood filtration begin in the kidney? The renal cortex
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