What are the parts of kidney and what their functions?

Parts of the Kidney

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located on either side of the spine, just below the rib cage. Each kidney is made up of several different parts, including:

* Renal cortex: The outer layer of the kidney, which contains the glomeruli and proximal tubules.

* Renal medulla: The inner layer of the kidney, which contains the loops of Henle and distal tubules.

* Renal pelvis: The central collecting area for urine, which is located at the top of the kidney.

* Ureter: The tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder.

Functions of the Kidney

The kidneys perform a number of important functions, including:

* Filtering waste products from the blood: The kidneys filter waste products from the blood, such as urea, creatinine, and uric acid. These waste products are then excreted in the urine.

* Regulating blood pressure: The kidneys help to regulate blood pressure by controlling the amount of sodium and water in the body.

* Producing hormones: The kidneys produce several hormones, including erythropoietin, which stimulates the production of red blood cells, and renin, which helps to regulate blood pressure.

* Maintaining acid-base balance: The kidneys help to maintain the body's acid-base balance by regulating the excretion of hydrogen ions and bicarbonate ions.