ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

Kidneys
The kidneys are two bean-shaped essential organs that perform
several homeostatic functions. The primary function of the kidneys is to filter blood and remove
excess water, minerals, and waste products of protein metabolism, producing urine in the
process. The kidneys also play a crucial role in controlling body fluid volume, osmolality and
pH, by maintaining fluid/electrolyte balance, metabolic blood acid-base balance, and
producing/modifying hormones for blood pressure, calcium/potassium homeostasis. It also plays
a part in red blood cell production.

The kidneys receive a high proportion of blood, about 20% of cardiac output,
enabling the filtration of large volumes of blood. Blood flow is regulated across the
filtration capillaries (glomeruli) due to the unique arrangement of blood vessels. The
kidneys remove waste products from the blood and produce urine.
 Each kidney contains about one million functional units called nephrons, which are
made up of a very small filter called a glomerulus attached to a tubule. As blood passes
through the nephron, fluid and waste products are filtered out, and much of the fluid is then
returned to the blood, while the waste products are concentrated in any extra fluid as urine.