• Humans have?two?kidneys
• The kidneys are responsible for carrying out two very important functions:
  • As an?osmoregulatory organ?-?they regulate the water content of the blood?(vital for maintaining blood pressure)
  • As an?excretory organ?-?they excrete the toxic waste products of metabolism?(such as?urea) and substances in excess of requirements (such as?salts)

The position of the kidneys and their associated structures

The function of the kidneys & their associated structures

• The kidney itself is surrounded by a fairly tough outer layer known as the?fibrous capsule
• Beneath the fibrous capsule, the kidney has?three main areas:
  • The?cortex?(contains the glomerulus, as well as the Bowman’s capsule, proximal convoluted tubule, and distal convoluted tubule of the nephrons)
  • The?medulla?(contains the loop of Henle and collecting duct of the nephrons)
  • The?renal pelvis?(where the ureter joins the kidney)

A cross-section of a kidney (as seen when cut in half vertically)