The human kidney is a vital
organ that plays a crucial role in maintaining the body’s balance of fluids and
electrolytes while filtering waste products from the blood. Here’s a simplified
explanation of the kidney’s structure:
The kidney is roughly the size
of a fist and has a bean-like shape, located in the lower back on either side
of the spine. Each kidney consists of two main parts: the renal cortex and the
renal medulla.
Renal Cortex
The renal cortex is the outer
layer of the kidney, containing millions of tiny units called nephrons. This
layer is responsible for filtering the blood that passes through the kidney,
removing waste products and excess fluids.
Renal Medulla
The renal medulla is the inner
part of the kidney, characterized by cone-shaped structures known as renal
pyramids. The renal medulla reabsorbs water and other useful substances from
the filtered blood, helping to maintain the body’s fluid and electrolyte
balance.
Nephrons
Nephrons are the functional
units of the kidney that filter the blood and eliminate waste products. Each
nephron consists of a glomerulus—a small network of blood vessels that acts as
the filter—and a tubule that reabsorbs useful substances and discards waste.
Glomerulus
The glomerulus is a small ball
of blood vessels that filters blood as it flows through. Waste products and
excess fluids are filtered out and sent to the tubule for further processing.
Tubule
The tubule is a long, winding
tube that leads away from the glomerulus. It reabsorbs water, electrolytes, and
other valuable substances from the filtered blood, while also converting waste
products into urine for elimination.
Collecting Duct
The collecting duct is a
series of tubules that transport urine from the nephrons to the renal pelvis, a
funnel-shaped structure that connects to the ureter, ultimately transporting
urine out of the body.
Renal Artery and
Renal Vein
The renal artery and renal
vein are the two main blood vessels associated with the kidney. The renal
artery brings oxygenated blood to the kidney, while the renal vein carries away
deoxygenated, filtered blood.
Overall, the different parts
of the kidney work together seamlessly to filter the blood, reabsorb useful
substances, and eliminate waste products from the body. This intricate process
is essential for maintaining the body’s health and balance.
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| The Human Kidney Simplified |
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