The Kidneys

The kidneys are two fist-sized organs located near the middle of the back, just above the waist.
They play a central role in filtering waste from the blood and regulating vital processes in the body. Some
key facts:

Structure: Each kidney contains around 1 million tiny filtering units called nephrons. Arterioles branch
into a capillary network surrounded by nephrons in the renal cortex. Waste filtered from blood drains into
minor and major calyces before exiting as urine through the ureters.

Filtration: Blood enters the kidneys under high pressure via the renal arteries. In the nephrons, blood is
filtered and waste/excess molecules like urea, drugs and toxins are removed. Crucial substances like salts,
sugars and proteins are reabsorbed back into blood to maintain balance.

Production: Each day the kidneys filter about 200 liters of blood to produce about 1-2 liters of urine
containing the waste removed. Urine is composed of 95% water and 5% other substances.

Regulation: The kidneys play a major role in electrolyte, acid-base, blood pressure regulation and
production of hormones like erythropoietin and renin. This tight control is vital for homeostasis.

Removal of toxins: The kidneys are one of the body's primary routes of detoxification, filtering and
eliminating heavy metals, drugs, carcinogens and other toxins ingested or produced as metabolic
byproducts.

Susceptibility: Kidney function can decline with age, high blood pressure, infections or diseases like
diabetes. Proper hydration, diet, exercise and medication if needed help support healthy kidney function
long-term.

The kidneys perform countless important regulatory and waste removal tasks crucial for
sustainability of life. Their complex and precise filtering system keeps the body in optimal chemical and
fluid balance.