The renal artery is a large blood vessel that controls blood flow into your kidneys. It protects your kidneys from injury, increases their stability and connects your kidneys to surrounding tissues. The renal capsule consists of three layers of connective tissue or fat that cover your kidneys. The main parts of your kidney anatomy include: Kidney capsule (renal capsule) Your kidneys are highly complex organs with many parts. A ureter connects each kidney to your bladder. Your kidneys reside between your intestines and diaphragm. Typically, one kidney sits on either side of your spine. Your kidneys sit just below your ribcage and behind your belly. Were born with two kidneys but only one kidney works (kidney dysplasia).Were born with only one kidney (renal agenesis).Made a kidney donation to someone else for a kidney transplant.Had a kidney removed due to cancer or injury.Someone may have only one kidney if they: Healthcare providers may remove one of your kidneys in a radical nephrectomy. Your body sends the remaining waste through your kidneys’ collecting chambers. The tubules remove waste, including excess acid and fluids through a process called diffusion. Renal tubules: These tiny tubes reabsorb and return water, nutrients and minerals your body needs (including sodium and potassium).The name for this process is glomerular filtration. They then pass filtered substances to the renal tubules. Glomeruli: Glomeruli are groups of tiny blood vessels that perform the first stage of filtering your blood.Cortisol also plays a role in:Įach kidney contains more than a million filtering units called nephrons. It produces hormones, including cortisol, which helps your body respond to stress. Erythropoietin helps your body make red blood cells.Īn adrenal gland sits on top of each kidney. Calcitriol is a form of vitamin D that helps your body absorb calcium. Produce the hormones calcitriol and erythropoietin.Make a protein called renin that increases blood pressure.Make sugar (glucose) if your blood doesn’t have enough sugar.

Control the acid-base balance (pH balance) of your blood.Your bladder stores pee until you release it through urination (peeing).Pee travels through tubes of muscle called ureters ( yer-it-ter) to your bladder.The filtered blood returns to your bloodstream through a large blood vessel called the renal vein.

Tiny blood vessels in your kidney filter the blood.

Blood flows into your kidneys through a large blood vessel called the renal artery.

Your kidneys filter about half a cup of blood every minute. They help your body remove these substances. Common waste products include nitrogen waste (urea), muscle waste (creatinine) and acids. They clean toxins and waste out of your blood. Your kidneys have many important functions.

200 grams to cups