Overview
Renal anatomy refers to the structures and functions of the kidneys, one of the most important organs of the human body responsible for the production of urine and the regulation of electrolytes. The kidneys are located on either side of the spine in the abdominal cavity and are made up of a large number of nephrons, which together filter waste and toxins from the blood. The two main parts of the kidney are the cortex, which contains the glomeruli, and the medulla, which processes the collected filtrate. The kidneys also regulate blood pressure and the concentration of electrolytes like sodium and potassium in the body. An understanding of renal anatomy is important for a variety of medical treatments, from dialysis and kidney transplantation to kidney biopsies and other diagnostic procedures.