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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...
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...
Blood and Nerve Supply to the Kidney01:18

Blood and Nerve Supply to the Kidney

The kidneys are vital organs responsible for filtering and cleaning blood, removing waste products, and regulating electrolyte levels. To perform these essential functions, they require a constant and robust blood supply.
Bloody Supply to the Kidneys:
The kidneys receive their blood supply from the renal arteries, which branch off from the abdominal aorta—the main artery supplying the abdomen and lower body. The renal arteries enter the kidneys at the hilum, a notch on the medial side of each...
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...
Introduction to Urinary System01:13

Introduction to Urinary System

The urinary system consists of two kidneys, two ureters, the urinary bladder, and the urethra.
The kidneys are bean-shaped organs located in the retroperitoneal space, on either side of the vertebral column, between the T12 and L3 vertebrae. They are partially protected by the rib cage and surrounded by perirenal fat, which provides cushioning. They are responsible for urine formation and play critical roles in regulating blood pressure, electrolyte levels, and hormone production. The ureters...

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Translational readthrough therapy for ADPKD induces polycystin1 expression and partially rescues functional deficits in PKD1 mutant cells.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Whole Kidney, Medulla, and Cortical Tubules in Diabetic Pathogenesis of Kidney Injury in Mice
10:31

Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Whole Kidney, Medulla, and Cortical Tubules in Diabetic Pathogenesis of Kidney Injury in Mice

Published on: May 2, 2025

The kidney and ear: emerging parallel functions.

Elena Torban1, Paul Goodyer

  • 1Departments of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Annual Review of Medicine
|November 4, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Kidney and inner ear malformations are linked in several syndromes. This study organizes these conditions into three groups based on shared developmental pathways, primary cilium dysfunction, or protein transport issues.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Otolaryngology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • The link between renal dysplasia and external ear malformations is generally weak.
  • However, numerous syndromes connect kidney anomalies with inner ear abnormalities.
  • These syndromes represent a complex group of genetic disorders affecting multiple organ systems.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically organize and categorize syndromes linking kidney and inner ear malformations.
  • To identify common pathogenic mechanisms underlying these disparate conditions.
  • To provide a framework for understanding the developmental biology of kidney-ear interactions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and data synthesis.

More Related Videos

Dissection of the Endolymphatic Sac from Mice
04:34

Dissection of the Endolymphatic Sac from Mice

Published on: March 29, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Whole Kidney, Medulla, and Cortical Tubules in Diabetic Pathogenesis of Kidney Injury in Mice
10:31

Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Whole Kidney, Medulla, and Cortical Tubules in Diabetic Pathogenesis of Kidney Injury in Mice

Published on: May 2, 2025

Dissection of the Endolymphatic Sac from Mice
04:34

Dissection of the Endolymphatic Sac from Mice

Published on: March 29, 2021

  • Clustering of representative syndromes based on shared etiological factors.
  • Categorization into three main groups based on underlying biological pathways.

    • Main Results:

    • Syndromes were classified into three main groups: (a) those sharing developmental regulatory pathways, (b) those involving primary cilium dysfunction, and (c) those arising from specialized protein transport or structural protein dysfunction.
    • This organization highlights common themes in the pathogenesis of kidney and inner ear malformations.
    • The primary cilium emerged as a critical component in several of these linked syndromes.

    Conclusions:

    • Kidney and inner ear malformations in syndromic contexts are often linked through shared developmental pathways or cellular machinery.
    • Primary ciliary dysfunction is a significant unifying factor in a subset of these syndromes.
    • Understanding these groupings aids in diagnosing and potentially treating complex genetic disorders affecting both renal and auditory systems.