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Related Concept Videos

Kidney Structure01:45

Kidney Structure

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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.
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Internal Anatomy of the Kidney01:12

Internal Anatomy of the Kidney

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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
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External Anatomy of the Kidney01:21

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

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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...
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Kidney Transplant I: Introduction01:28

Kidney Transplant I: Introduction

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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...
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Nephrons01:10

Nephrons

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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...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 29, 2026

Estimation of Nephron Number in Whole Kidney using the Acid Maceration Method
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Normal black kidney.

Aliasghar Yarmohamadi1, Ali Reza Akhavan Rezayat1, Bahram Memar2

  • 1Department of Urology, Ghaem Educational General Hospital, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran;

Canadian Urological Association Journal = Journal De L'Association Des Urologues Du Canada
|May 20, 2014
PubMed
Summary

A black kidney diagnosis can be challenging, but this case highlights melanotic kidney as a possibility. Despite initial concerns, the patient maintained normal renal function throughout the evaluation.

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Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Pathology
  • Surgical Oncology

Background:

  • Black kidney presents differential diagnostic challenges, including hemosiderosis, lipofuscin pigment, and melanotic renal cell carcinoma.
  • Hemosiderosis and melanotic renal cell carcinoma are often associated with abnormal renal function, unlike lipofuscin pigment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a rare case of a black kidney in a living kidney donor.
  • To investigate the cause of the black kidney and its impact on renal function.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical presentation of a 25-year-old potential kidney donor with a black kidney.
  • Surgical exploration and subsequent nephrectomy of the affected kidney.
  • Histopathological analysis of kidney biopsies to determine the cause of discoloration.

Main Results:

  • The black kidney was found to be melanotic without significant pathological changes in renal structures.
  • The patient exhibited normal renal function throughout the evaluation, including pre- and post-procedure assessments.
  • Ham test results were negative, ruling out certain hemolytic conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Melanotic kidney, a rare cause of kidney discoloration, can occur without compromising renal function.
  • Comprehensive evaluation including histopathology and renal function tests is crucial for diagnosing black kidney.
  • This case underscores that a black kidney does not always indicate severe underlying pathology or impaired renal function.