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

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

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

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

• Nephrology
• Urology
• Kidney transplantation
• Dialysis

Renal Resources
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