Kidney Portal
Welcome to the UCCRI Kidney portal. Here you will find information on kidney health, renal cysts, and kidney cancer causes, prevention, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Be sure to visit the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page for more information.
Overview
Your kidneys are paired organs that filter your blood to produce urine. They function to regulate electrolytes, acid-base balance, and blood pressure (hypertension). Kidneys excrete waste from the blood, such as ammonium and urea, and they produce important hormones like erythropoietin, rennin, and vitamin D.
Anatomically, your kidneys are located in your abdomen, behind the bowel and near your sides, in the retroperitoneum. Usually one renal artery supplies the kidney with blood and one renal vein drains the kidney; making urine through the ureter, which then drains out through the bladder.