The Human Kidneys

The kidney are a pair of red-brown, bean-shaped organs. Each kidney is about the size of a first. The kidneys are covered and protected by thick layers of fats. A longitudinal section of the kidney shows that it is divide into two regions. The dark red outer region is called the cortex and the pale-red inner region is called the medulla. The medulla is filled with cone-shaped tissues called pyramids. The apices of the pyramids open into a funnel shapes cavity called the pelvis. The pelvis drains urine into the ureter.Each human kidney has at least one million tiny blood filters. Urine is formed within these tiny blood filters.

 

Functions of the kidneys

1. The kidneys remove nitrogenous waste products such as urea along with excess water and mineral salts in the form of urine
2. Kidneys keep the water and mineral contents in our body in balance
3. The kidneys control the amount of mineral salts in the body fluid
4. The kidneys also help to maintain the pH of blood and tissue fluid.