What is the anatomical location of kidneys?

The kidneys are located at the rear wall of the abdominal cavity just above the waistline and are protected by the ribcage. They are considered retroperitoneal, which means that they lie behind the peritoneum.

What is unique about the location position of the kidneys?

The left kidney is located slightly more superior than the right kidney due to the larger size of the liver on the right side of the body. Unlike the other abdominal organs, the kidneys lie behind the peritoneum that lines the abdominal cavity and are thus considered to be retroperitoneal organs.

What is the outer region of the kidney called?

renal cortex
The outer, reddish region, next to the capsule, is the renal cortex. This surrounds a darker reddish-brown region called the renal medulla.

What is the anatomy of the kidneys?

Gross Anatomy The urinary system of the human body consists of two kidneys, two ureters, the bladder and a single urethra. The kidneys are located on the posterior wall of the abdomen at waist level. Each kidney is roughly 10 cm long and 5 cm wide, and is encased in a fibrous outer capsule called the renal capsule.

Why is the position of the kidney described as retroperitoneal?

The left kidney sits a bit higher in the body because of the size of the liver, which is also on the right side. The kidneys are considered “retroperitoneal” organs, which means they sit behind a lining in the abdominal cavity, unlike all other abdominal organs.

What are the outer and inner regions of the kidney called?

The kidneys are highly vascular (contain a lot of blood vessels) and are divided into three main regions: the renal cortex (outer region which contains about 1.25 million renal tubules), renal medulla (middle region which acts as a collecting chamber), and renal pelvis (inner region which receives urine through the …

Where are kidneys located on back?

Your kidneys are fist-sized organs shaped like beans that are located at the back of the middle of your trunk, in the area called your flank. They are under the lower part of your ribcage on the right and left sides of your backbone.

Where is the liver and kidney located?

The liver is located in the upper right-hand portion of the abdominal cavity, beneath the diaphragm, and on top of the stomach, right kidney, and intestines.

Where are the kidneys located in the body?

Your kidneys are bean-shaped organs that are located in the middle of your back against the back muscles, with one on either side of your spine. Your kidneys provide a vital function for your body to filter blood and produce urine.

Where does the pain in the kidneys come from?

According to doctors from the Mayo Clinic, it is only when the mineral deposits in your kidneys move that they cause pain. One of the first signs is an agonizing pain in your flank, below your ribs. Depending on where the stone moves, the pain from the kidneys may come and go and radiate to the lower abdomen and groin.

How are the kidneys connected to the urinary tract?

Your kidneys are closely connected with your urinary tract and filter out waste from your blood and get rid of excess fluid. Urine from the kidneys flows down the urinary tract and into your bladder. You then get rid of this waste product when you pee.

Where does the urine go after it leaves the kidneys?

Most of the water and other substances that filter through your glomeruli are returned to your blood by the tubules. Only 1 to 2 quarts become urine. Blood flows into your kidneys through the renal artery and exits through the renal vein. Your ureter carries urine from the kidney to your bladder.