• Kidney Defination and Functions
• Kidney Biopsy or Renal Biopsy
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Kidney Cysts Information
• Kidney Damage Symptoms
• Diabetic Nephropathy
• Dialysis Information
• Kidney Failure Causes
• Herbal Kidney Cleanse
• Loin Pain Haematuria Syndrome
• Lupus Nephritis
• Nephrosis Causes and Treatment
• Kidney Pain Information
• Polycystic Kidney Disease
• Proteinuria Sign and Treatment
• Kidney Stone Information
• Kidney Transplant Information

Kidney: Defination and Functions

What is a Kidney?

In humans, the kidneys are two small organs located near the vertebral column at the small of the back. The left kidney lies a little higher than the right kidney. They are bean-shaped, about 4 in. (10 cm) long and about 21/2 in. (6.4 cm) wide.

What is its major function?

They kidneys have a couple of different functions. Their main purpose of the kidney is to separate urea, mineral salts, toxins, and other waste products from the blood. They also conserve water, salts, and electrolytes. At least one kidney must function properly for life to be maintained.

Importantance of Kidneys

Your kidneys are important because they do three essential things.

Kidneys regulate water

For your body to work properly, it must contain just the right amount of water. One of the important jobs of the kidneys is to remove excess water from the body or to retain water when the body needs more.

Kidneys remove wastes

Many of the substances in the blood and body fluid must be kept at the correct level for the body to function properly. For example, sodium and potassium are minerals which come from food. These minerals are needed by the body for good health, but they must be kept at specific levels. When the kidneys are working properly, excess minerals, such as sodium and potassium, are excreted from the body in the urine. The kidneys also help to regulate the levels of other minerals, such as calcium and phosphate, which are important for the formation of bone.

Wastes, such as urea and creatinine, must also be removed from the body. Urea and other wastes are made when the body breaks down protein, such as meat. Creatinine is a waste product of the muscles. As kidney function decreases, the levels of urea and creatinine in the blood increase.

Many waste products are toxic (poisonous) if they are not removed from the body fluids. For example, when certain drugs are taken, chemical wastes are produced which must be removed from the body by the kidneys.

Kidneys produce hormones

Normal kidneys also make important chemical messengers called hormones. These hormones circulate in the bloodstream and regulate some body functions such as blood pressure, the making of red blood cells, and the uptake of calcium from the intestine.