Your Kidneys

Kidneys are a critical part of your health.  They “clean” your blood by removing wastes from the body through your urine, help your body to make red blood cells, and regulate blood pressure.  Their function in maintaining your body’s health is as important as your heart or your lungs.
 
Normally, people have two kidneys, one on either side of the spine under the lower ribs. They are reddish brown in colour and shaped like kidney beans. Each kidney is about the size of your clenched fist.
 
This section describes your kidneys and kidney disease and introduces some medical terms that you may not have heard before.  Our Kidney Health A to Z provides definitions to help you understand and learn more about your kidneys.