Understanding your kidneys and what they do

The kidney has a bean-shaped structure; each kidney has a convex and concavesurface. The concave surface, the renal hilum, is the point at which the renal arteryenters the organ, and the renal vein and ureter leave. The kidney is surrounded by tough fibrous tissue, the renal capsule, which is itself surrounded by perinephric fat, renal fascia (of Gerota) and paranephric fat. The anterior (front) border of these tissues is the peritoneum, while the posterior (rear) border is the transversalis fascia. The superior border of the right kidney is adjacent to the liver; and the spleen, for the left kidney. Therefore, both move down on inhalation.

What is Nephrology?

Nephrology means study of Nephrons. Nephron is the functional unit/ cell of the kidney. The field of Nephrology hence deals with anything to do with kidney and the disease affecting the kidney like acute kidney injury, chronic kidney failure, hypertension related kidney disease, diabetic kidney disease and transplant of kidney. Thus Nephrologist deals with all these problems and they are basically non surgical kidney physician.

The kidneys are organs that serve several essential regulatory role. They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid-base balance, and regulation of blood pressure (via maintaining salt and water balance). They serve the body as a natural filter of the blood, and remove wastes which are diverted to the urinary bladder. The kidneys excrete wastes such as urea and ammonium, and they are also responsible for the reabsorption of water, glucose, and amino acids. The kidneys receive blood from the renal arteries, left and right, which branch directly from the abdominal aorta (the big abdomen artery). Despite their relatively small size, the kidneys receive approximately 20% of the cardiac output. Each renal artery branches into segmental arteries, dividing further into interlobar arteries which penetrate the renal capsule and extend through the renal columns between the renal pyramids.

The kidney participates in whole-body homeostasis, regulating acid-base balance, electrolyte concentrations, extracellular fluid volume, and regulation of blood pressure. The kidney accomplishes these homeostatic functions both independently and in concert with other organs, particularly those of the endocrine system. Various endocrine hormones coordinate these endocrine functions; these include renin, angiotensin II, aldosterone, antidiuretic hormone, and atrial natriuretic peptide, among others. The main functions are: Blood pressure control, Salt and water balance, Erythropoietin (a hormone) production, Vitamin D metabolism, Acid base balance and Insulin metabolism