Kidney Anatomy
These two bean-shaped organs sit on either side of the spine in the posterior abdomen.
What are the kidneys?
The kidneys receive this percentage of the body's total cardiac output.
What is 20%?
This abbreviation stands for the final and most severe stage of chronic kidney disease.
What is ESKD?
Sodium and water retention in ESKD causes this visible swelling of body tissues.
What is edema?
This most common ESKD symptom is caused by anemia and toxin buildup.
What is fatigue?
This outer region of the kidney surrounds the inner region, known as the medulla.
What is the cortex?
The kidneys produce this hormone, which stimulates red blood cell production.
What is erythropoietin?
In ESKD, the GFR falls below this number in mL/min.
What is 15 mL/min?
This electrolyte imbalance — elevated potassium — puts ESKD patients at risk for dangerous arrhythmias.
What is hyperkalemia?
Uremic toxins building up in the blood cause this maddening skin symptom
What is itching (pruritus)?
This narrow tube carries urine from the kidney to the bladder for storage.
What is the ureter?
The kidneys activate this vitamin, which is essential for bone health
What is Vitamin D?
This dangerous condition occurs when waste products accumulate in the blood."
What is uremia?
The retention of hydrogen ions (H+) in ESKD leads to this acid-base imbalance
What is metabolic acidosis?
This respiratory symptom results from fluid overload and pulmonary congestionffect brain
What is shortness of breath?
This is the functional unit of the kidney, where filtration and reabsorption take place.
What is the nephron?
By regulating sodium, potassium, and fluid levels, the kidneys help maintain this
What is homeostasis?
In ESKD, the kidneys lose their ability to maintain this — the body's internal chemical balance.
What is homeostasis?
The drop in erythropoietin production in ESKD directly causes this blood condition.
What is anemia?
When toxins accumulate and affect brain function, patients experience this neurological symptom
What is confusion?
Filtration in the nephron begins at this structure
What is the glomerulus?
Filtered fluid travels from the proximal tubule → Loop of Henle → this structure before becoming urine
What is the distal tubule?
ESKD usually requires this intervention to replace lost kidney filtration function
What is dialysis?
Fluid backup from sodium and water retention in ESKD can cause this life-threatening lung complication.
What is pulmonary edema?
This muscular symptom is caused directly by electrolyte disturbances — particularly potassium and calcium
What are muscle cramps?