Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

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...

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.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Weight concern and desire for weight loss support in adolescents: Results from a large cross-sectional school survey.

JCPP advances·2026

Same author

Coal plant closures impact more than the air we breathe.

American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine·2026

Same author

Population prevalence and correlates of tobacco use among U.S. military veterans.

Drug and alcohol dependence·2025

Same author

Spatially structured models of viral dynamics: a scoping review.

Microbiology and molecular biology reviews : MMBR·2025

Same author

Quantifying biological heterogeneity in nano-engineered particle-cell interaction experiments.

Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·2025

Same author

Adolescent and parental views on weight and weight management: a qualitative study.

Archives of disease in childhood·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 11, 2025

Isolation and Culture of Cells from the Nephrogenic Zone of the Embryonic Mouse Kidney

Isolation and Culture of Cells from the Nephrogenic Zone of the Embryonic Mouse Kidney

Published on: April 22, 2011

Modelling Cellular Interactions and Dynamics During Kidney Morphogenesis.

Blake Cook^1,2, Alex Combes³, Melissa Little^4,5

¹School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia.

Bulletin of Mathematical Biology

|November 27, 2021

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Mathematical modeling of kidney development reveals that cell signaling controls ureteric tip growth. Proper cell adhesion is also crucial for a stable kidney structure, offering insights for in vitro replication.

Keywords:

Cap mesenchyme Cell-based modelling Chaste Kidney development Mathematical biology

More Related Videos

In Utero Intra-cardiac Tomato-lectin Injections on Mouse Embryos to Gauge Renal Blood Flow

In Utero Intra-cardiac Tomato-lectin Injections on Mouse Embryos to Gauge Renal Blood Flow

Published on: February 4, 2015

Dissection and Culture of Mouse Embryonic Kidney

Dissection and Culture of Mouse Embryonic Kidney

Published on: May 17, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 11, 2025

Isolation and Culture of Cells from the Nephrogenic Zone of the Embryonic Mouse Kidney

Isolation and Culture of Cells from the Nephrogenic Zone of the Embryonic Mouse Kidney

Published on: April 22, 2011

In Utero Intra-cardiac Tomato-lectin Injections on Mouse Embryos to Gauge Renal Blood Flow

In Utero Intra-cardiac Tomato-lectin Injections on Mouse Embryos to Gauge Renal Blood Flow

Published on: February 4, 2015

Dissection and Culture of Mouse Embryonic Kidney

Dissection and Culture of Mouse Embryonic Kidney

Published on: May 17, 2017

Area of Science:

Developmental biology
Computational biology
Renal physiology

Background:

Kidney disease and renal disorders are significant global health issues in adulthood.
Many renal deficiencies stem from congenital abnormalities in kidney formation, influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
Mathematical modeling offers a powerful tool to enhance understanding of complex kidney organogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a discrete cell-based model of kidney development.
To investigate the behavior of cap mesenchyme cells essential for ureteric tip growth.
To explore the role of spatial regulation and cell adhesion in kidney organogenesis.

Main Methods:

Discrete cell-based modeling approach.
Simulation of ureteric tree tip development.
Analysis of cap mesenchyme cell behaviors and interactions.

Main Results:

Spatial regulation of cap mesenchyme cell differentiation via cellular signaling is sufficient for robust ureteric tip development.
Increased adhesion between cap mesenchyme cells and the ureteric tip surface promotes a more stable tip-cap unit.
Identified key components essential for healthy kidney growth at the cellular level.

Conclusions:

Cellular signaling and adhesion are critical for normal kidney development.
The model provides insights into mechanisms underlying congenital renal deficiencies.
Findings can inform future in vitro strategies for kidney tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.