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Each adult human kidney contains around 1 million nephrons, while a mouse kidney contains only about 12,500 nephrons. The kidneys also carry out functions independent of the nephrons. For example, they convert a precursor of vitamin D to its active form, calcitriol ; and synthesize the hormones erythropoietin and renin .
The mammalian kidney is the organ that has the most complex vascular blood system compared to other organs. [105] Despite their small size, the kidneys of mammals account for a significant part of the minute volume of blood circulation. [106]
Despite their relatively small size, the kidneys receive approximately 20% of the cardiac output. [ 1 ] Each renal artery branches into segmental arteries, dividing further into interlobar arteries , which penetrate the renal capsule and extend through the renal columns between the renal pyramids.
An estimate of the GFR is used clinically to determine the degree of kidney impairment and to track the progression of the disease. The GFR, however, does not reveal the source of the kidney disease. This is accomplished by urinalysis, measurement of urine protein excretion, kidney imaging, and, if necessary, kidney biopsy. [1]
This is an accepted version of this page This is the latest accepted revision, reviewed on 13 November 2024. This article is about the human urinary system. For urinary systems of other vertebrates, see Urinary systems of birds, urinary systems of reptiles, and urinary systems of amphibians. Anatomical system consisting of the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and the urethra Urinary system 1 ...
This illustration demonstrates the normal kidney physiology, including the Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT), Loop of Henle, and Distal Convoluted Tubule (DCT). It also includes illustrations showing where some types of diuretics act, and what they do. Renal physiology (Latin renes, "kidneys") is the study of the physiology of the kidney.
The length of the adult kidney is normally 10–12 cm, and the right kidney is often slightly longer than the left kidney. The adult kidney size is variable due to the correlation with body height and age; however, normograms for pediatric kidney size are available. [1]
The kidney takes a key role in maintenance of the constant internal environment. The relative ionic composition of the extracellular fluid is similar between marine fish and all subsequent species. Therefore, it can be said that the kidneys made it possible to preserve approximately the same composition of extracellular fluid in vertebrates as ...