Healthy Kidneys...
...where the music begins...
The Musical Score
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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.]
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These two bean shaped organs are in the area just below the rib cage.
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The top of the kidneys sit at a level between the 11th & 12th ribs. Each can be found on either side of the spine.
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The kidneys are protected by layers of fat and muscle, and, are wrapped in a special material.
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An artery (tube carrying blood from the heart) enters the kidneys.
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A vein (tube carrying blood back to the heart) leaves them.
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Basically, the arteries bring “dirty” blood to the kidney to be cleaned (filtered) and the veins bring the “clean” blood back to your circulation.
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Once inside the kidney, close to a million tiny “filters” process the blood.
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The filters are called nephrons
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The nephrons make up the main ‘orchestra’ members.
The Symphony
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Each nephron is connected to an ‘instrument’, which is called a glomerulus.
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These ‘players’ eliminate waste (‘sour notes’) and make sure the ‘symphony’ stays in ‘tune’.
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About 50 gallons of blood per day are sent to your kidneys for filtration.
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In addition to getting rid of waste, the kidneys are responsible for keeping other ‘instruments’ in ‘key’.
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The kidneys keep bones and teeth healthy by maintaining calcium and phosphorus in balance.
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Part of staying in ‘tune’, the kidneys hold on to vital proteins so they are not eliminated during the filtration process.
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Kidneys assist with ‘directing’ red blood cell production.
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By regulating salt and water levels, the kidneys help keep blood pressure controlled.
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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’!!