10/30/2019 Kidneys (Anatomy): Picture, Function, Conditions, Treatments

Picture of the Kidneys

Human Anatomy
By Matthew Hoffman, MD

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The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs on either side of your spine, below
your ribs and behind your belly. Each kidney is about 4 or 5 inches long, roughly
the size of a large fist.
The kidneys' job is to filter your blood. They remove wastes, control the body's
fluid balance, and keep the right levels of electrolytes. All of the blood in your
body passes through them several times a day.

Blood comes into the kidney, waste gets removed, and salt, water, and minerals
are adjusted, if needed. The filtered blood goes back into the body. Waste gets
turned into urine, which collects in the kidney's pelvis -- a funnel-shaped
structure that drains down a tube called the ureter to the bladder.
Each kidney has around a million tiny filters called nephrons. You could have only
10% of your kidneys working, and you may not notice any symptoms or
problems.

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10/30/2019 Kidneys (Anatomy): Picture, Function, Conditions, Treatments

If blood stops flowing into a kidney, part or all of it could die. That can lead to
kidney failure.

Kidney Conditions
Pyelonephritis (infection of kidney pelvis): Bacteria may infect the kidney,
usually causing back pain and fever. A spread of bacteria from an untreated
bladder infection is the most common cause of pyelonephritis.

Glomerulonephritis: An overactive immune system may attack the kidney,

causing inflammation and some damage. Blood and protein in the urine are
common problems that occur with glomerulonephritis. It can also result in
kidney failure.

Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis): Minerals in urine form crystals (stones), which

may grow large enough to block urine flow. It's considered one of the most
painful conditions. Most kidney stones pass on their own, but some are too
large and need to be treated.

Nephrotic syndrome: Damage to the kidneys causes them to spill large

amounts of protein into the urine. Leg swelling (edema) may be a symptom.

Polycystic kidney disease: A genetic condition resulting in large cysts in both

kidneys that hinder their work.

Acute renal failure (kidney failure): A sudden worsening in how well your
kidneys work. Dehydration, a blockage in the urinary tract, or kidney damage
can cause acute renal failure, which may be reversible.

Chronic renal failure: A permanent partial loss of how well your kidneys work.
Diabetes and high blood pressure are the most common causes.

End-stage renal disease (ESRD): Complete loss of kidney strength, usually

due to progressive chronic kidney disease. People with ESRD require
regular dialysis for survival.

Papillary necrosis: Severe damage to the kidneys can cause chunks of

kidney tissue to break off internally and clog the kidneys. If untreated, the
resulting damage can lead to total kidney failure.

Diabetic nephropathy: High blood sugar from diabetes progressively

damages the kidneys, eventually causing chronic kidney disease. Protein in
the urine (nephrotic syndrome) may also result.

Hypertensive nephropathy: Kidney damage caused by high blood pressure.

Chronic renal failure may eventually result.

Kidney cancer: Renal cell carcinoma is the most common cancer affecting
the kidney. Smoking is the most common cause of kidney cancer.

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10/30/2019 Kidneys (Anatomy): Picture, Function, Conditions, Treatments

Interstitial nephritis: Inflammation of the connective tissue inside the kidney,

often causing acute renal failure. Allergic reactions and drug side effects are
the usual causes.

Minimal change disease: A form of nephrotic syndrome in which kidney cells

look almost normal under the microscope. The disease can cause significant
leg swelling (edema). Steroids are used to treat minimal change disease.

Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus: The kidneys lose the ability to concentrate

the urine, usually due to a drug reaction. Although it's rarely dangerous,
diabetes insipidus causes constant thirst and frequent urination.

Renal cyst: A hollowed-out space in the kidney. Isolated kidney cysts often
happen as people age, and they almost never cause a problem. Complex
cysts and masses can be cancerous.

Kidney Tests
Urinalysis: A routine test of the urine by a machine and often by a person
looking through a microscope. Urinalysis can help detect infections,
inflammation, microscopic bleeding, and kidney damage.

Kidney ultrasound: A probe placed on the skin reflects sound waves off the
kidneys, creating images on a screen. Ultrasound can reveal blockages in
urine flow, stones, cysts, or suspicious masses in the kidneys.

Computed tomography (CT) scan: A CT scanner takes a series of X-rays,

and a computer creates detailed images of the kidneys.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan: A scanner uses radio waves in a

magnetic field to make high-resolution images of the kidneys.

Urine and blood cultures: If an infection is suspected, cultures of the blood and
urine may identify the bacteria responsible. This can help target antibiotic
therapy.

Ureteroscopy: An endoscope (flexible tube with a camera on its end) is

passed through the urethra into the bladder and ureters. Ureteroscopy
generally cannot reach the kidneys themselves, but can help treat conditions
that also affect the ureters.

Kidney biopsy: Using a needle inserted into the back, a small piece of kidney
tissue is removed. Examining the kidney tissue under a microscope may help
diagnose a kidney problem.

Kidney Treatments
Antibiotics: Kidney infections caused by bacteria are treated with antibiotics.
Often, cultures of the blood or urine can help guide the choice of antibiotic
therapy.

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10/30/2019 Kidneys (Anatomy): Picture, Function, Conditions, Treatments

Nephrostomy: A tube (catheter) is placed through the skin into the kidney.
Urine then drains directly from the kidney, bypassing any blockages in urine
flow.

Lithotripsy: Some kidney stones may be shattered into small pieces that can
pass in the urine. Most often, lithotripsy is done by a machine that projects
ultrasound shock waves through the body.

Nephrectomy: Surgery to remove a kidney. Nephrectomy is performed for

kidney cancer or severe kidney damage.

Dialysis: Artificial filtering of the blood to replace the work that damaged
kidneys can't do. Hemodialysis is the most common method of dialysis in the
U.S.

Hemodialysis: A person with complete kidney failure is connected to a

dialysis machine, which filters the blood and returns it to the body.
Hemodialysis is typically done 3 days per week in people with ESRD.

Peritoneal dialysis: Placing large amounts of a special fluid in the abdomen

through a catheter allows the body to filter the blood using the natural
membrane lining the abdomen. After a while, the fluid with the waste is
drained and discarded.

Kidney transplant: Transplanting a kidney into a person with ESRD can

restore kidney function. A kidney may be transplanted from a living donor, or
from a recently deceased organ donor.

WebMD Image Collection | Reviewed by Debra Jaliman, MD on August 07, 2019

Sources 
SOURCE
Brenner, B. Brenner & Rector's The Kidney, 8th Edition, Saunders Elsevier, 2007.

© 2019 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

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