Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

External Anatomy of the Kidney01:21

External Anatomy of the Kidney

The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs in the human body that play a critical role in maintaining overall health. They filter out waste products from the blood, regulate blood pressure, maintain electrolyte balance, and stimulate the production of red blood cells.
The kidneys are located in the retroperitoneal space on either side of the vertebral column, protected posteriorly by the 11th and 12th ribs. The right kidney sits slightly lower than the left owing to the presence of the liver...
Kidney Structure01:45

Kidney Structure

The kidneys are two large bean-shaped organs located in the upper abdomen. They filter the blood several times a day to remove toxins and rebalance water and electrolytes of the circulatory system via the renal veins. The kidneys receive blood directly from the heart via the renal arteries. These arteries enter the kidney at the hilum, the concave surface of the bean, where they branch and divide into smaller vessels and capillaries.
Endocrine Signaling01:45

Endocrine Signaling

Endocrine cells produce hormones to communicate with remote target cells found in other organs. The hormone reaches these distant areas using the circulatory system. This exposes the whole organism to the hormone but only those cells expressing hormone receptors or target cells are affected. Thus, endocrine signaling induces slow responses from its target cells but these effects also last longer.
Internal Anatomy of the Kidney01:12

Internal Anatomy of the Kidney

The kidneys are essential organs in the human body, performing a myriad of tasks that maintain homeostasis and overall health.
Anatomical Position and Dimensions
The kidneys are retroperitoneal organs positioned against the posterior abdominal wall on either side of the spine, roughly between the twelfth thoracic and third lumbar vertebrae. Each kidney is typically 10-12 cm long, 5-6 cm wide, and 3-4 cm thick, weighing about 150 grams.
Renal Cortex
The outermost region of the kidney is the...
Renal Corpuscle01:20

Renal Corpuscle

The glomerulus and Bowman's capsule are two essential components of the nephron, which is the functional unit of the kidney. These microscopic structures play a critical role in the process of blood filtration to produce urine.
Glomerulus: Structure and Function
The glomerulus is a tiny, intricate network of capillaries located at the beginning of the nephron. It's enveloped by the Bowman's capsule and receives its blood supply from an afferent arteriole, which divides into numerous capillaries...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Osr1-expressing mesoderm contributes to lymphatic vessel assembly and complexity in the mammalian kidney.

Cell reports·2026
Same author

Birth Weight Measurement Gaps and Global Kidney Health.

Kidney360·2026
Same author

Evaluating the Kidney Research Scientist Core Education and National Training (KRESCENT) Program: A 20-Year Qualitative Thematic Analysis.

Canadian journal of kidney health and disease·2026
Same author

Integrating nephron number into risk stratification for IgA nephropathy.

Clinical and experimental nephrology·2026
Same author

The Impact of Low-Protein Diet on the Molecular and Cellular Development of the Fetal Kidney.

Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : JASN·2026
Same author

Revamping the KRESCENT Core Curriculum: The KRESCENT 2.0 Program Report.

Canadian journal of kidney health and disease·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Isolation and Culture of Cells from the Nephrogenic Zone of the Embryonic Mouse Kidney
08:06

Isolation and Culture of Cells from the Nephrogenic Zone of the Embryonic Mouse Kidney

Published on: April 22, 2011

Bone morphogenetic protein signaling in the developing kidney: present and future.

Jason E Cain1, Sunny Hartwig, John F Bertram

  • 1Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Differentiation; Research in Biological Diversity
|March 12, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are crucial for kidney development. This review summarizes BMP signaling in the developing kidney, identifying knowledge gaps and future research directions.

More Related Videos

In Utero Intra-cardiac Tomato-lectin Injections on Mouse Embryos to Gauge Renal Blood Flow
10:25

In Utero Intra-cardiac Tomato-lectin Injections on Mouse Embryos to Gauge Renal Blood Flow

Published on: February 4, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Isolation and Culture of Cells from the Nephrogenic Zone of the Embryonic Mouse Kidney
08:06

Isolation and Culture of Cells from the Nephrogenic Zone of the Embryonic Mouse Kidney

Published on: April 22, 2011

In Utero Intra-cardiac Tomato-lectin Injections on Mouse Embryos to Gauge Renal Blood Flow
10:25

In Utero Intra-cardiac Tomato-lectin Injections on Mouse Embryos to Gauge Renal Blood Flow

Published on: February 4, 2015

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Nephrology

Background:

  • Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) belong to the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily.
  • BMP signaling is increasingly recognized for its critical role in metanephric kidney development.
  • Studies utilize in vitro assays and in vivo animal models to investigate BMP functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge of BMPs, their receptors, and signaling pathway regulators in kidney development.
  • To identify significant gaps in understanding BMP signaling in normal and abnormal kidney development.
  • To suggest areas and techniques for future research to enhance comprehension.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies on BMP signaling in kidney development.
  • Analysis of data from in vitro assays.
  • Examination of findings from in vivo animal models.

Main Results:

  • BMP signaling plays a critical role in the development of the metanephric kidney.
  • Key components of the BMP pathway, including BMPs, receptors, and regulators, are present in the developing kidney.
  • Current research highlights significant gaps in understanding the precise roles of BMP signaling.

Conclusions:

  • BMP signaling is essential for normal kidney development.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the complex roles of BMP signaling in both healthy and diseased kidneys.
  • Advanced techniques and focused research areas will improve our understanding of BMPs in nephrogenesis.