Kidneys :
What are the kidneys?
The two bean-shaped and reddish brown in colour,
located near the middle of our back, just under the ribcage.
Each kidney weighs about 120g to 150g, and is about the size of an adult fist. Each kidney is about 10cm long, 5-6 cm wide and 2.5cm thick.
The right kidney is situated slightly lower than the left because the liver pushes it down.
The kidneys perform crucial functions that affect all parts of the body.
Functions of kidneys?
The kidneys have four main roles in the body.
- Remove waste from the body. Nutrients that cannot be used by the body become toxic. The kidneys filter the blood to remove them from the body in the urine
- Remove excess water from the body
- Make and regulate important hormones in the body. These hormones control red blood cell production, blood pressure regulation and calcium absorption
- Control body chemistry by regulating the amount of salt, water and other chemicals circulating in the body
Featured Article : Kidney Stones
