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External Anatomy of the Kidney

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 Structure

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.

Internal Anatomy of the Kidney

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 Corpuscle

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...

Anatomy of the Genitourinary System I: Kidneys and Ureters

Anatomy of the Genitourinary System I: Kidneys and Ureters

The upper urinary system comprises two kidneys and two ureters, which are crucial in filtering blood and forming urine.KidneysLocation and Structure:The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs positioned behind the peritoneum on either side of the spine.Kidneys are between the 12th thoracic (T12) and the 3rd lumbar (L3) vertebrae.The position of the liver causes the right kidney to sit slightly lower than the left.Protective Layers:Each kidney is enveloped in a tough, fibrous membrane called the...

Kidney Transplant II: Surgical Procedure

Kidney Transplant II: Surgical Procedure

Preoperative ManagementThe primary goals of preoperative management in kidney transplantation are to optimize the patient’s metabolic state and prepare them for surgery through diet adjustments, necessary dialysis, and tailored medical treatment. This phase also involves comprehensive infection screening and patient education about the surgical procedure and postoperative care to improve outcomes and adherence.Medical ManagementA comprehensive evaluation is required for both the living donor...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

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

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

Published on: June 21, 2024

Supernumerary kidney in a child with OEIS complex.

Gregory M Janda¹, Kenneth G Nepple, Christopher S Cooper

¹Department of Urology, University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City, 52242-1089, USA.

|April 18, 2009

Summary

A rare supernumerary third kidney was found in a 6-month-old infant with OEIS complex. This case highlights unusual genitourinary tract anomalies in pediatric patients.

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Transmesenteric Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty in Trendelenburg Position for Horseshoe Kidney with Hydronephrosis

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Published on: July 8, 2025

Area of Science:

Urology
Pediatric Surgery
Medical Imaging

Background:

Supernumerary kidneys and cloacal exstrophy are rare congenital anomalies.
The OEIS complex (omphalocele, exstrophy, imperforate anus, spinal defects) is a rare condition involving multiple systems.

Observation:

A 6-month-old infant presented with the OEIS complex.
Antegrade nephrostography was performed for diagnostic evaluation.

Findings:

A supernumerary third kidney was identified in this patient.
This represents an exceedingly rare co-occurrence of anomalies.

Implications:

This case underscores the importance of thorough genitourinary evaluation in infants with complex congenital anomalies.
Further research into the embryological origins of such rare combined anomalies may be warranted.
Highlights the diagnostic utility of antegrade nephrostography in complex pediatric cases.