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WebMD Home Incontinence & Overactive Bladder Health Center

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Incontinence/OAB Trends:

Urge Incontinence

Interstitial Cystitis

Stress Incontinence

Mixed Incontinence

Menopause and Incontinence

OAB Products

Incontinence & Overactive Bladder Health Center

Image Collection:
Human Anatomy

Picture of the Kidneys

2014 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

The kidneys are a pair of organs located in the back of the abdomen. Each kidney is about 4 or 5
inches long -- about the size of a fist.
The kidneys' function are to filter the blood. All the blood in our bodies passes through the
kidneys several times a day. The kidneys remove wastes, control the body's fluid balance, and
regulate the balance of electrolytes. As the kidneys filter blood, they create urine, which collects

in the kidneys' pelvis -- funnel-shaped structures that drain down tubes called ureters to the
bladder.
Each kidney contains around a million units called nephrons, each of which is a microscopic
filter for blood. It's possible to lose as much as 90% of kidney function without experiencing any
symptoms or problems.
Kidney Conditions

Pyelonephritis (infection of kidney pelvis): Bacteria may infect the kidney,

usually causing back pain and fever. A spread of bacteria from an untreated
bladder infection is the most common cause of pyelonephritis.

Glomerulonephritis: An overactive immune system may attack the kidney,

causing inflammation and some damage. Blood and protein in the urine are
common problems that occur with glomerulonephritis. It can also result in
kidney failure.

Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis): Minerals in urine form crystals (stones), which

may grow large enough to block urine flow. It's considered one of the most
painful conditions. Most kidney stones pass on their own but some are too
large and need to be treated.

Nephrotic syndrome: Damage to the kidneys causes them to spill large

amounts of protein into the urine. Leg swelling (edema) may be a symptom.

Polycystic kidney disease: A genetic condition resulting in large cysts in both

kidneys that impair their function.

Acute renal failure (kidney failure): A sudden worsening in kidney function.

Dehydration, a blockage in the urinary tract, or kidney damage can cause
acute renal failure, which may be reversible.

Chronic renal failure: A permanent partial loss of kidney function. Diabetes

and high blood pressure are the most common causes.

End stage renal disease (ESRD): Complete loss of kidney function, usually due
to progressive chronic kidney disease. People with ESRD require regular
dialysis for survival.

Papillary necrosis: Severe damage to the kidneys can cause chunks of kidney
tissue to break off internally and clog the kidneys. If untreated, the resulting
damage can lead to total kidney failure.

Diabetic nephropathy: High blood sugar from diabetes progressively damages

the kidneys, eventually causing chronic kidney disease. Protein in the urine
(nephrotic syndrome) may also result.

Hypertensive nephropathy: Kidney damage caused by high blood pressure.

Chronic renal failure may eventually result.

Kidney cancer: Renal cell carcinoma is the most common cancer affecting the
kidney. Smoking is the most common cause of kidney cancer.

Interstitial nephritis: Inflammation of the connective tissue inside the kidney,

often causing acute renal failure. Allergic reactions and drug side effects are
the usual causes.

Minimal change disease: A form of nephrotic syndrome in which kidney cells

look almost normal under the microscope. The disease can cause significant
leg swelling (edema). Steroids are used to treat minimal change disease.

Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus: The kidneys lose the ability to concentrate

the urine, usually due to a drug reaction. Although it's rarely dangerous,
diabetes insipidus causes constant thirst and frequent urination.

Renal cyst: A benign hollowed-out space in the kidney. Isolated kidney cysts
occur in many normal people and almost never impair kidney function.

1|2|3
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Further Reading:

The Bladder (Human Anatomy): Function, Picture, Location, Definition

The Basics of Kidney Disease

Analgesic Nephropathy

George Lopez Gets a New Kidney

Diabetic Nephropathy-Treatment Overview

Albumin Urine Test

Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)-Surgery

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Kidney Disease Home

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