The Kidneys
filters for the blood
The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist.
They are located just below the rib cage, one on each side of the spine. Reach behind your back like in the picture to the right up above; that's where your kidneys are.
How do the kidneys work? Each kidney is not one large filter. Each kidney is made up of about a million (1,000,000) filtering units called nephrons. Each nephron filters a small amount of blood. The nephron includes a filter, called the glomerulus, and a tubule. The nephrons work through a two-step process. The glomerulus lets fluid and waste products pass through it; however, it prevents blood cells and large molecules, mostly proteins, from passing. The filtered fluid then passes through the tubule, which sends needed minerals back to the bloodstream and removes wastes. The final product becomes urine.
Urine Urine is a liquid by-product of the metabolism in humans and in many animals. Urine flows from the kidneys through the ureters to the urinary bladder. Urination results in urine being excreted from the body through the urethra.
The cellular metabolism generates many by-products which are rich in nitrogen and must be cleared from the bloodstream, such as urea, uric acid, and creatinine. These by-products are expelled from the body during urination, which is the primary method for excreting water-soluble chemicals from the body. A urinalysis can detect nitrogenous wastes of the mammalian body.
Urine has a role in the earth's nitrogen cycle. In balanced ecosystems urine fertilizes the soil and thus helps plants to grow. Therefore, urine can be used as a fertilizer. Some animals use it to mark their territories. Historically, urine was also used for gunpowder production, cleaning, tanning of leather and dyeing of textiles.
They are located just below the rib cage, one on each side of the spine. Reach behind your back like in the picture to the right up above; that's where your kidneys are.
How do the kidneys work? Each kidney is not one large filter. Each kidney is made up of about a million (1,000,000) filtering units called nephrons. Each nephron filters a small amount of blood. The nephron includes a filter, called the glomerulus, and a tubule. The nephrons work through a two-step process. The glomerulus lets fluid and waste products pass through it; however, it prevents blood cells and large molecules, mostly proteins, from passing. The filtered fluid then passes through the tubule, which sends needed minerals back to the bloodstream and removes wastes. The final product becomes urine.
Urine Urine is a liquid by-product of the metabolism in humans and in many animals. Urine flows from the kidneys through the ureters to the urinary bladder. Urination results in urine being excreted from the body through the urethra.
The cellular metabolism generates many by-products which are rich in nitrogen and must be cleared from the bloodstream, such as urea, uric acid, and creatinine. These by-products are expelled from the body during urination, which is the primary method for excreting water-soluble chemicals from the body. A urinalysis can detect nitrogenous wastes of the mammalian body.
Urine has a role in the earth's nitrogen cycle. In balanced ecosystems urine fertilizes the soil and thus helps plants to grow. Therefore, urine can be used as a fertilizer. Some animals use it to mark their territories. Historically, urine was also used for gunpowder production, cleaning, tanning of leather and dyeing of textiles.
The kidneys prevent the buildup of wastes and extra fluid in the body.
They keep levels of electrolytes stable, such as sodium, potassium, and phosphate.
The kidneys make hormones that help regulate blood pressure, make red blood cells and help bones stay strong
Every day, the two kidneys filter about 120 to 150 quarts of blood to produce about 1 to 2 quarts of urine, composed of wastes and extra fluid.
The urine flows from the kidneys to the bladder through two thin tubes of muscle called ureters, one on each side of the bladder. The bladder stores urine. The muscles of the bladder wall remain relaxed while the bladder fills with urine. As the bladder fills to capacity, signals sent to the brain tell a person to find a toilet soon. When the bladder empties, urine flows out of the body through a tube called the urethra, located at the bottom of the bladder.
They keep levels of electrolytes stable, such as sodium, potassium, and phosphate.
The kidneys make hormones that help regulate blood pressure, make red blood cells and help bones stay strong
Every day, the two kidneys filter about 120 to 150 quarts of blood to produce about 1 to 2 quarts of urine, composed of wastes and extra fluid.
The urine flows from the kidneys to the bladder through two thin tubes of muscle called ureters, one on each side of the bladder. The bladder stores urine. The muscles of the bladder wall remain relaxed while the bladder fills with urine. As the bladder fills to capacity, signals sent to the brain tell a person to find a toilet soon. When the bladder empties, urine flows out of the body through a tube called the urethra, located at the bottom of the bladder.
Kidney stones are mineral and salt crystals that form in the kidneys. Generally you have to "pass the stone" which means you pee out the crystals. This can be VERY PAINFUL. These crystals can be as small as sand or as large as a ping pong ball. Often doctors will use sound waves to shatter the crystals into smaller parts. There are many causes of kidney stones, but let's generalize it by saying that the more concentrated your urine is, the greater the chance of kidney stones. Your kidneys are filters so it is good to have lots of water in your blood to make it easier to filter. Best way to prevent kidney stones is to drink a good amount of WATER.
Shock Wave Lithotripsy (SWL) is the most common treatment for kidney stones in the U.S. Shock waves from outside the body are targeted at a kidney stone causing the stone to fragment. The stones are broken into tiny pieces. lt is sometimes called ESWL: Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy®.
These are what the words mean:
Shock Wave Lithotripsy (SWL) is the most common treatment for kidney stones in the U.S. Shock waves from outside the body are targeted at a kidney stone causing the stone to fragment. The stones are broken into tiny pieces. lt is sometimes called ESWL: Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy®.
These are what the words mean:
- extracorporeal: from outside the body
- shock waves: pressure waves
- lithotripsy (the Greek roots of this word are "litho" meaning stone, "tripsy" meaning crushed)
Crash Course Urinary System Part 1