Healthy Kidneys

Healthy Kidneys...

The Musical Score

We have 2 (two) kidneys which are bean shaped. [Note this is the shape of our mascot ‘The KiD’. He’s the D.J. of our station ‘WKiD’ – The Bean.]
These two bean shaped organs are in the area just below the rib cage.
The top of the kidneys sit at a level between the 11th & 12th ribs. Each can be found on either side of the spine.
The kidneys are protected by layers of fat and muscle, and, are wrapped in a special material.
An artery (tube carrying blood from the heart) enters the kidneys.
A vein (tube carrying blood back to the heart) leaves them.
Basically, the arteries bring “dirty” blood to the kidney to be cleaned (filtered) and the veins bring the “clean” blood back to your circulation.
Once inside the kidney, close to a million tiny “filters” process the blood.
The filters are called nephrons
The nephrons make up the main ‘orchestra’ members.

The Symphony

Each nephron is connected to an ‘instrument’, which is called a glomerulus.
These ‘players’ eliminate waste (‘sour notes’) and make sure the ‘symphony’ stays in ‘tune’.
About 50 gallons of blood per day are sent to your kidneys for filtration.
In addition to getting rid of waste, the kidneys are responsible for keeping other ‘instruments’ in ‘key’.
The kidneys keep bones and teeth healthy by maintaining calcium and phosphorus in balance.
Part of staying in ‘tune’, the kidneys hold on to vital proteins so they are not eliminated during the filtration process.
Kidneys assist with ‘directing’ red blood cell production.
By regulating salt and water levels, the kidneys help keep blood pressure controlled.
The ‘finale’ is the production of urine, which allows a balanced ‘performance’ – eliminating the ‘sour notes’ and allowing for all the ‘orchestra’ sections to ‘play’ in perfect ‘harmony’!!