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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...
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...
Anatomy of the Genitourinary System I: Kidneys and Ureters01:11

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 Procedure01:26

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: May 18, 2026

Murine Kidney Transplant Technique
08:58

Murine Kidney Transplant Technique

Published on: October 20, 2015

The kidney in space.

Vassilios Liakopoulos1, Konstantinos Leivaditis, Theodoros Eleftheriadis

  • 1Division of Nephrology, 1st Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA Hospital, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 1, St. Kyriakidi Street, 54636, Thessaloniki, Greece. liakopul@otenet.gr

International Urology and Nephrology
|September 25, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Spaceflight alters kidney function, causing fluid shifts and reduced sodium excretion. Simulated microgravity studies reveal potential kidney damage and increased risk of kidney stones, necessitating preventive measures for astronauts.

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Last Updated: May 18, 2026

Murine Kidney Transplant Technique
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09:15

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04:31

Whole-Kidney Three-Dimensional Staining with CUBIC

Published on: July 18, 2022

Area of Science:

  • Space medicine
  • Renal physiology
  • Microgravity research

Background:

  • Renal adaptation to spaceflight has been studied since the 1970s.
  • Simulated microgravity research is crucial due to the challenges of real space experiments.
  • Early space missions noted fluid shifts and physiological changes in astronauts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review renal adaptations during space missions.
  • To investigate the effects of simulated microgravity on renal function and structure.
  • To identify risks associated with kidney function in space, such as urinary retention and stone formation.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on renal adaptation in space.
  • Analysis of studies using simulated weightlessness models.
  • Examination of renal histopathology in animal models exposed to simulated microgravity.

Main Results:

  • Microgravity causes fluid redistribution, reduced plasma volume, and diminished urinary sodium.
  • Glomerular filtration rate shows a transient increase, and urinary albumin excretion decreases.
  • Simulated microgravity in rats led to glomerular atrophy, interstitial edema, and tubular cell degeneration.

Conclusions:

  • Spaceflight significantly impacts renal function and structure.
  • Kidney stone formation is a critical concern due to factors like reduced hydration and hypercalciuria.
  • Preventive nutritional and pharmacological strategies are essential for mitigating renal risks in astronauts.