Several hormones have specific, important roles in regulating kidney function. They act to stimulate or inhibit blood flow. Some of these are endocrine, acting from a distance, whereas …

For patients with more severe or end-stage kidney disease, dialysis, or the use of a dialyzer machine to filter the blood and remove toxins when kidney function is decreased, is often …

The Bowman’s or renal capsule, located at one end of each nephron in the cortex of the kidney, is the blood-filtering region of the nephron. The renal pelvis contains a hilium —the concave site …

It is the primary force that drives glomerular filtration. Glomerular filtration is the first step in urine formation and constitutes the basic physiologic function of the kidneys. It describes the …

Because the kidney filters blood, its network of blood vessels is an important component of its structure and function. The arteries, veins, and nerves that supply the kidney enter and exit at …

The kidneys help maintain the acid–base balance by excreting hydrogen ions into the urine and reabsorbing bicarbonate from the urine.

The left kidney is located at about the T12 to L3 vertebrae, whereas the right is lower due to slight displacement by the liver. Upper portions of the kidneys are somewhat protected by the …

Its function is vital for homeostasis of blood volume, blood pressure, and plasma osmolarity. It is regulated by the neuroendocrine system by hormones such as antidiuretic hormone, …

The renal structures that conduct the essential work of the kidney cannot be seen by the naked eye. Only a light or electron microscope can reveal these structures. Even then, serial sections …

Specific hormones and paracrine agents help regulate renal function, blood pressure, and electrolyte balance. Renin–Angiotensin–Aldosterone Mechanism is a complex system that …