The kidneys are vital organs in the body responsible for filtering waste products, toxins, and excess fluids in blood. Urine production serves to avoid toxin buildup, thus making the body a clean and healthy place within. This process is necessary to prevent complications such as highly elevated toxin levels and actual kidney failure.
In addition to excreting wastes, the kidneys maintain blood pressure through homeostasis of water and salts within the body; they also produce hormones called renin. The kidneys control electrolyte levels, such as sodium and potassium, that affect nerve and muscle activity.
The kidneys make a hormone called erythropoietin that stimulates red blood cell formation. Finally, they maintain the acid-base balance in the body. The entire system operates smoothly when the kidneys work correctly.
The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located on either side of the spine, below the ribcage. A single kidney is about 10-12 cm in length and consists of three main parts: the cortex is the outer layer, the medulla is the inner part, and the renal pelvis is a funnel-like structure where urine collects. There are millions of tiny units in the kidneys called nephrons inside which filter blood to create urine.
The primary function of the kidneys is filtration: they remove waste products, toxins, and excess fluids from the bloodstream, producing urine. They also regulate blood pressure by controlling water-salt balance and releasing hormones like renin. In addition, they maintain electrolyte balance (sodium, potassium) and stimulate red blood cell production by releasing erythropoietin. These functions are critical for maintaining the body's internal balance and overall health.
Basic Skeleton Procedure to Draw a Kidney
At first, I draw a general outline form of a kidney. It is about a large bean with free space left at its top and bottom for further curves appearing as the outer form.
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Then I divide the interior of the kidney into two major parts: the outer cortex and the inner medulla.
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I draw small, triangular shapes inside the medulla to represent the renal pyramids; I make it point towards the center. In the middle, I add a funnel-like structure called the renal pelvis that collects urine.
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I end by drawing in the renal artery and vein coming from the side into the kidney and a tube at the bottom called the ureter that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder. I mark each piece: cortex, medulla, renal pelvis, ureter, artery, and vein to finish my diagram correctly.
