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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.

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.
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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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 17, 2025

Murine Kidney Transplant Technique

Murine Kidney Transplant Technique

Published on: October 20, 2015

Human reconstructed kidney models.

Seiji Kishi¹, Takuya Matsumoto², Takaharu Ichimura³

¹Department of General Medicine, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, 7010192, Japan. skishi-tks@umin.ac.jp.

In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology. Animal

|February 17, 2021

Summary

Kidney organoids, derived from pluripotent stem cells, offer a more accurate model for studying kidney diseases and drug toxicity than traditional animal models. These organoids replicate human kidney complexity, improving drug discovery and prediction of adverse effects.

Keywords:

3D culture system In vitro In vivo Kidney Organ-on-a-chip Organoid Pluripotent stem cells Single-cell RNA sequencing

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Microdissection of Primary Renal Tissue Segments and Incorporation with Novel Scaffold-free Construct Technology

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Last Updated: Nov 17, 2025

Murine Kidney Transplant Technique

Murine Kidney Transplant Technique

Published on: October 20, 2015

Generation of Human Kidney Tubuloids from Tissue and Urine

Generation of Human Kidney Tubuloids from Tissue and Urine

Published on: April 16, 2021

Microdissection of Primary Renal Tissue Segments and Incorporation with Novel Scaffold-free Construct Technology

Microdissection of Primary Renal Tissue Segments and Incorporation with Novel Scaffold-free Construct Technology

Published on: March 27, 2018

Area of Science:

Nephrology
Stem Cell Biology
Toxicology

Background:

Human kidneys are vital for homeostasis, but animal models for kidney injury research have limitations due to species differences.
Traditional in vitro cultures lack the complex architecture and cellular interactions of the native kidney.
Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) can differentiate into various cell types, offering a path to more relevant kidney models.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate kidney organoids as a superior model for studying kidney injury and disease.
To explore the potential of organoids in drug toxicity prediction and discovery.
To overcome limitations of animal models and traditional cell cultures in kidney research.

Main Methods:

Generation of kidney organoids from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs).
Utilizing organoids to model nephrotoxin-induced kidney injury and complex diseases like chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Employing genetic engineering techniques (e.g., CRISPR-Cas9) to replicate genetic kidney diseases in organoids.

Main Results:

Kidney organoids successfully recapitulate the multicellular architecture and microenvironment of human kidneys.
Organoids demonstrated efficacy in modeling both acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease.
The combination of organoids and genetic engineering allows for the accurate reproduction of genetic kidney disorders.

Conclusions:

Kidney organoids provide a more accurate and relevant platform for studying human kidney diseases compared to animal models.
Organoid technology holds significant potential for advancing drug discovery and predicting drug toxicity in nephrology.
This model system enhances our ability to understand and treat complex kidney conditions.