The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located on either side of the
spine, at the small of the back. The kidneys filter wastes from the blood and help
balance water, salt, and mineral levels in the blood.
Wastes filtered out of the blood are carried out of the body as urine. Urine flows through tubes
(ureters) to the bladder, where it is stored until a person is ready to
urinate. The waste and urine then leave the bladder and exit the body through a
tube called the urethra.
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By
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Healthwise Staff |
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Primary Medical Reviewer
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E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
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Specialist Medical Reviewer
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Tushar J. Vachharajani, MD, FASN, FACP - Nephrology |
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Last Revised
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May 10, 2011 |