kidneys

Definition : The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs found on the left and right sides of the body in vertebrates. They are located at the back of the abdominal cavity in the retroperitoneal space. In adults they are about 11 centimetres (4.3 in) in length. They receive blood from the paired renal arteries; blood exits into the paired renal veins. Each kidney is attached to a ureter, a tube that carries excreted urine to the bladder.

Organ components

 cortex
 medulla
 renal lobules (renal pyramids )

• nephron
  • renal glomeruli (renal glomerulus )
  • renal tubules
  • proximal convoluted tubule
  • descending loop of Henle
  • ascending loop of Henle
  • distal convoluted tubule

• collecting tubules
• ducts of Bellini

 perilobular zones (columns of Bertin )

Renal pathology

 renal development
 renal malformations
  renal lesions
 renal lesional syndromes
 renal diseases
 renal tumors

Pathology (Renal pathology )

 architectural anomalies

• corticomedullary differentiation anomalies
• lobar organization anomalies

Videos

 Histology of the kidneys

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Links

 Renal Pathology Tutorial by J. Charles Jennette, MD at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
 Renal Pathology tutorial at University of Washington, Seattle
 Renal tumors on wepathology.com (Urology)
 ECSYSVASTRIAL
 Atlas of renal pathology from American Journal of Kidney Diseases

See also

  urinary system