The physical aspects of kidney failure
The physical aspects of kidney failure
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Most people have two kidneys, each about 10 centimetres (4 inches) long. They are positioned in the back of the body behind the lower ribs.
A healthy kidney is basically a filtering system. In fact, each kidney is made up of about a million filtering units called nephrons. Click here to find out where your Kidneys are 
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Click here to see how a kidney works
As blood passes through the kidneys, it is "cleaned" - the body’s waste products and excess fluid are removed. These waste products, along with the excess fluid, are then sent through the ureters to the bladder. Then they are passed out of the body as urine. Healthy kidneys also balance the chemicals in the blood, and produce hormones which control blood pressure and maintain healthy blood cells and bones. |
A quick summary of the functions of the kidney:
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Content Last Updated: 18th May 2000.
Page Last Updated: 11th February 2005.