Anatomy of the Kidney

The kidneys, one on the right and one on the left, are each about the size of a clenched fist and lie at the back of the abdomen just under the rib-cage. In keeping with their important function of controlling blood chemistry, they receive one quarter of the blood pumped by the heart although they weigh less than 1% of the total weight of the body.

Large volume of blood that enters the kidneys is filtered by specialized, tiny blood vessels. These vessels are permeable to water, and chemicals in blood but are not permeable to larger elements of blood such as the blood cells and blood proteins. Between 150 and 200 litres of water and contained chemicals are filtered each day. This filtrate is delivered to a complex system of fine tubes (or tubules) which are lined by specialized cells.

The above are intended to be general information and not intended to be treated as a diagnosis whatsoever. You are asked to seek professional medical advice relating to all questions on treatment, care, diagnosis and medication.