KIDNEYS

The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped excretory organs in the posterior abdominal region.

Position:
The kidneys are retroperitoneal in the posterior abdominal region, one on each side of the vertebra column. They extend from the level of the 12th thoracic vertebra to the 3rd lumber vertebra. The right kidney is slightly lower than the left because of its relationship  with the liver.

Function of the kidneys:

    Excretion of metabolic waste products and foreign chemicals by formation of urine
    Regulation of water and electrolyte balances
    Regulation of body fluid osmolality and  electrolyte concentrations
    Regulation of arterial pressure
    Regulation of acid –base balance

Measurement:
Length: About 12cm
Width: 6: cm
Thickness: 3: cm

EXTERNAL FEATURES
Each kidney has:
1. Two pales-upper and lower
2. Two borders-medial and lateral
3. Two borders – anterior and posterior

Hilum
Write short note on: Hilum of kidney.
The hilum is a depression on the medial border border of the kidney. Internally, the hilum is continuous with the renal sinus.


STRUCTURES SEEN IN THE HILUM
    The renal vain
    The renal artery
    Renal pelvis
    Lymph vessels
    Nerves.


Renal pelvis:
It is the funnel-shaped superior end of the ureter .


RELATIONS OF THE KIDNEYS
Each of the kidneys is associated with different groups of structures:

RIGHT KIDNEY:
Superiorly-the right adrenal gland
Anteriorly-the right lobe of the liver, the duodenum and the hepatic flexure of the colon
Posteriorly-the diaphragm, and muscles of the posterior abdominal wall.

Left kidney:
Superiorly-the left adrenal gland
Anteriorly-the spleen , stomach , pancreas , jejunum and splenic flexure of the colon
Posteriorly-the diaphragm and muscles of the posterior abdominal wall