The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located in the lower abdomen and in the lumbar region (flanks). Their main function is to help the body eliminate waste in the form of urine. Additionally, blood is filtered by them before returning to the heart.
In general, the kidneys perform various important functions in the body; including:
- Maintenance and regulation of body fluids
- Filtration of minerals, toxins, and other waste products from food, medications, and other substances
- Regulation of blood pressure
- Production of certain critical hormones that help stimulate the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow
- Promotion of bone health
1Function Of Kidneys
Your kidneys regulate your body’s fluid levels and remove waste. They also help maintain a healthy balance of minerals, salts, and water, and remove excess acid produced by the body cells. This balance is necessary for the optimal functioning of the body tissues, such as muscles, nerves, and other connective tissues.
Another important function of the kidneys is the production of some hormones that help
- Regulate sodium and blood pressure
- Stimulate the production of red blood cells
- Maintenance of strong and healthy bones
How do my kidneys work?
About one million filtering units, or nephrons, are present in each kidney. A nephron is composed of a tubule and a filter, called a glomerulus. The nephrons perform two important functions – the glomerulus acts as a filtration plant and purifies your blood, while the tubular part of nephron is designed to return the filtered (only needed) substances to your body.
The glomerulus filters your blood
The glomerulus is a cluster of tiny vessels at the end of each nephron. The thin holes in the walls of the glomerular arteries allow fluid (mostly water), waste products, and certain smaller molecules to pass into the tubule. These tubules then remove the waste products through urine and return the necessary products to your blood.
Along the tubule runs a blood vessel. Almost all of the water and minerals your body needs are absorbed back into your body as the filtered fluid moves along the tubule. By removing excess acid from the blood, the tubules help maintain healthy blood pH levels. Urine is formed from the remaining fluid, by products, and wastes in the tubule.
