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Related Concept Videos

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.
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...
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...
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...
Nephrons01:10

Nephrons

The kidneys are intricate organs with millions of working units known as nephrons. Each nephron features two major structures: the renal corpuscle, which facilitates blood plasma filtration, and the renal tubule, which handles the glomerular filtrate. Blood supply is directly linked to the nephrons. The renal corpuscle consists of the glomerulus, a capillary network, and the Bowman's capsule, a double-walled epithelial structure that encases the glomerulus. The filtering of blood plasma happens...
Renal Tubule and Collecting Duct01:24

Renal Tubule and Collecting Duct

The renal tubule is divided into three parts: the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT), the Loop of Henle (LOH), and the distal convoluted tubule (DCT).
Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT):
The PCT is the initial segment of the renal tubule, extending from the Bowman's capsule that encloses the glomerulus. Its convoluted structure and microvilli-lined cells increase the surface area for reabsorption. The PCT reabsorbs glucose, amino acids, sodium, and water from the filtrate, ensuring essential...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Point-of-Care Kidney and Genitourinary Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition
03:19

Point-of-Care Kidney and Genitourinary Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition

Published on: June 21, 2024

Solitary kidney.

Stanley Hellerstein1, Luke Chambers

  • 1Section of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Mercy Hospital, The University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City 64108, USA. shellers@cmh.edu

Clinical Pediatrics
|August 14, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Pediatric practitioners can use estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to identify children with solitary kidneys needing further investigation. Lower eGFR values suggest potential issues in children with a single kidney.

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Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Renal Physiology

Background:

  • A solitary kidney is a congenital condition present from birth.
  • Children with a solitary kidney may require monitoring for normal renal function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish a tool for pediatric practitioners to assess the need for in-depth investigation in children with a solitary kidney.
  • To define thresholds for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) indicating potential renal compromise.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of medical records from 96 children diagnosed with a solitary kidney between 1995 and 2006.
  • Categorization of children into three age- and sex-based groups for analysis.
  • Calculation of serum creatinine and eGFR for each study group.

Main Results:

  • Mean serum creatinine levels were 0.4 mg/dL (group 1), 0.6 mg/dL (group 2), and 1.1 mg/dL (group 3).
  • An eGFR 2 standard deviations below the mean was determined to be 78 mL/min/1.73 m² (group 1), 73 mL/min/1.73 m² (group 2), and 70 mL/min/1.73 m² (group 3).

Conclusions:

  • The study provides age- and sex-specific eGFR reference ranges for children with solitary kidneys.
  • An eGFR falling 2 standard deviations below these means warrants further urological and nephrological evaluation.