Renal

Renal refers to anything related to the kidneys. It is derived from the Latin word renes, meaning kidneys. The kidneys are a pair of organs located in the back of the abdomen. They play a crucial role in the urinary system, maintaining the body's electrolyte balance, regulating blood pressure, and removing waste products from the body.

Anatomy of the Kidney[edit | edit source]

The kidneys are bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist. They are located on either side of the spine, just below the rib cage. Each kidney is made up of approximately a million filtering units called nephrons. The nephrons remove waste products from the blood through a two-step process. The glomerulus filters the blood, and the tubule returns needed substances to the blood and removes wastes.

Functions of the Kidney[edit | edit source]

The kidneys perform several vital functions in the body, including:

Filtration: The kidneys filter out waste products, toxins, and excess substances from the blood, which are then excreted in the urine.
Regulation of electrolytes: The kidneys help maintain the body's balance of electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and phosphate.
Blood pressure regulation: The kidneys help regulate blood pressure by controlling the volume of blood in the body and releasing hormones that control blood pressure.
Red blood cell regulation: The kidneys release a hormone called erythropoietin, which stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow.
Acid-base balance: The kidneys help maintain the body's pH balance by excreting hydrogen ions and reabsorbing bicarbonate from urine.

Renal Diseases[edit | edit source]

There are many diseases and conditions that can affect the kidneys. Some of the most common include:

Chronic kidney disease: This is a long-term condition where the kidneys do not work as well as they should. It is often caused by high blood pressure and diabetes.
Kidney stones: These are hard deposits of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys. They can cause severe pain when they pass through the urinary tract.
Polycystic kidney disease: This is a genetic disorder that causes numerous cysts to grow in the kidneys.
Glomerulonephritis: This is a group of diseases that injure the part of the kidney that filters blood.
Renal failure: This is a condition in which the kidneys lose their ability to function properly. It can be acute (sudden) or chronic (long-term).

See Also[edit | edit source]

Renal Resources
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