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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.
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...
Imaging Studies I: Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder Studies01:28

Imaging Studies I: Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder Studies

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder (KUB) StudiesKidney, Ureter, and Bladder (KUB) studies are standard diagnostic imaging procedures used to assess the anatomy of the urinary system. They are commonly utilized for patients experiencing abdominal pain or urinary symptoms. By using a simple X-ray of the abdomen, KUB studies can reveal structural and pathological abnormalities within the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. These studies are particularly valuable in diagnosing kidney stones, urinary...
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 Transplant I: Introduction01:28

Kidney Transplant I: Introduction

A kidney transplant is a surgical approach that involves replacing a non-functioning kidney with a healthy one from a donor. This procedure is often a treatment option for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The method requires careful recipient selection, including evaluating various medical and psychosocial factors. These criteria vary between transplant centers but generally include assessments of the patient's overall health, adherence to medical recommendations, and lifestyle...
Chronic Kidney Disease I: Introduction01:25

Chronic Kidney Disease I: Introduction

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) arises when the kidneys progressively lose their ability to function, ultimately leading to end-stage renal disease. At this advanced stage, the kidneys can no longer filter waste or maintain essential body functions, requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) through dialysis or a kidney transplant for survival.Early-stage chronic kidney disease and detection challengesIn CKD's early stages, symptoms often remain absent because healthy nephrons compensate for...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 18, 2026

A Mouse Model to Evaluate the Long-Term Structural and Functional Outcomes after the Reversal of Prolonged Unilateral Ureteric Obstruction
05:34

A Mouse Model to Evaluate the Long-Term Structural and Functional Outcomes after the Reversal of Prolonged Unilateral Ureteric Obstruction

Published on: July 18, 2025

A longitudinal study of kidney structure and function in adults.

Shathabish S Kariyanna1, Robert P Light, Rajiv Agarwal

  • 1Division of Nephrology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA.

Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation : Official Publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association
|December 2, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Kidney size changes longitudinally with chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. Declining kidney function accelerates kidney atrophy, indicating kidney size is a key factor in renal prognosis.

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Analysis of Nephron Composition and Function in the Adult Zebrafish Kidney
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Analysis of Nephron Composition and Function in the Adult Zebrafish Kidney

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Dissection of the Adult Zebrafish Kidney
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Dissection of the Adult Zebrafish Kidney

Published on: August 29, 2011

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 18, 2026

A Mouse Model to Evaluate the Long-Term Structural and Functional Outcomes after the Reversal of Prolonged Unilateral Ureteric Obstruction
05:34

A Mouse Model to Evaluate the Long-Term Structural and Functional Outcomes after the Reversal of Prolonged Unilateral Ureteric Obstruction

Published on: July 18, 2025

Analysis of Nephron Composition and Function in the Adult Zebrafish Kidney
08:53

Analysis of Nephron Composition and Function in the Adult Zebrafish Kidney

Published on: August 9, 2014

Dissection of the Adult Zebrafish Kidney
07:40

Dissection of the Adult Zebrafish Kidney

Published on: August 29, 2011

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Renal Medicine
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Kidney size is frequently measured in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.
  • The direct relationship between kidney size and function in CKD is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the longitudinal relationship between kidney size and renal function in patients with CKD.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 178 kidneys from 93 CKD patients (excluding autosomal polycystic kidney disease).
  • Kidney size measured by ultrasound; renal function assessed by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
  • Statistical analysis using a mixed-effects model for repeated measurements.

Main Results:

  • Cross-sectional analysis showed eGFR, height, age, and CKD etiology predict kidney size.
  • Longitudinal analysis (median 3.7 years) revealed kidney atrophy at 0.072 cm/year.
  • Declining eGFR blunted atrophy; each 1 mL/min/1.73 m²/year greater eGFR decline reduced atrophy by 0.015 cm/year.

Conclusions:

  • The longitudinal relationship between kidney size (form) and function is inverse, unlike cross-sectional findings.
  • The rate of change in eGFR dictates kidney atrophy.
  • Kidney size is a determinant of renal prognosis in CKD.