The Left Kidney and Right Kidney
Kidneys are organs that are found in the bean shape in our bodies. Both the kidneys are equivalent to the size of a fist. These are located just under the bottom of the rib cage, one on each side of the spine. Normal kidneys filter about a half cup of blood every minute, removing wastes and extra water to make urine. Kidneys situated in the left and the right which lie in an intraperitoneal position are located at the slightly oblique angle. The right kidney is slightly lower and smaller than the left kidney and is placed into the middle area in comparison to the left kidney.
Left Vs Right Kidney
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Left Kidney
This kidney is situated on the left side of the body just below the rib cage. The kidney has a length of about 11.25cm, 5 to 7.5cm in breadth, and more than 2.5cm in thickness. The left kidney is somewhat longer and narrower than the right kidney. This kidney is in the direction facing the right kidney. The anterior surface of the kidney is linked with the stomach, left suprarenal gland, spleen, pancreas, jejunum, and the posterior part is associated with rib 11 and 12, diaphragm.
Right Kidney
The right kidney is situated slightly lower than the left kidney and is probably on the account of the vicinity of the liver. This kidney, having been shaped, is placed in the direction facing the left kidney. The anterior surface of the kidney is linked with the liver, right suprarenal gland, descending part of the duodenum, small intestine, etc, and the posterior surface is associated with rib 12, diaphragm.
Structure of the Kidneys
The kidneys are bean-shaped which are externally surrounded by three layers which are as follows:
The outermost layer, the renal fascia, is a tough connective tissue layer.
The perirenal fat capsule is the second layer that supports the kidneys.
The innermost and the third layer is the renal capsule.
The Kidneys have Three Layers Internally Which are as Follows:
The renal medulla is the innermost region of the kidney which is arranged into pyramid-like structures that consist of a bulk of neuron structure.
The renal cortex is the outer inner region of the kidney between the renal capsule and the renal medulla.
Nephrons are the basic structural and functional unit of the kidney that filters the blood in order to regulate chemical concentrations and produce urine.
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The Functioning of the Kidneys
Kidneys perform very important functions and play a vital role in the filtration process which is as follows :
They maintain an overall fluid balance in the body.
They regulate and filter minerals from blood.
They filter waste materials from food, medications, and toxic substances.
They create hormones that help to produce red blood cells, promote health, and regulate blood pressure.
Maintenance of Kidneys
Kidneys are the most important organs that affect many other body parts including the heart. So it is very important to maintain the health of the kidneys well in order to make them work in an efficient manner.
Some necessary precautions need to be taken in order to maintain our kidneys.
These are the List of Some Important Precautions:
Should maintain the proper amount of salt in the diet because eating a lot of salty foods can disrupt the balance of minerals in the blood and then it becomes harder for the kidneys to work or function properly.
Should exercise regularly which maintains the proper blood pressure and results in decreasing the risk factor of chronic kidney disease.
Should stay hydrated and should drink plenty of water as it helps the kidneys to perform one of the most important functions which are removing toxins. The use of medication with caution avoids kidney damage.
One should always be aware of the risk factors and should go for regular checkups.
FAQs on Difference Between Left Kidney and Right Kidney
Which Kidney is Higher?
The left kidney is higher as it is located slightly above the position of the right kidney.
It is approximately at the vertebral level.
It sits below the diaphragm and posterior to the spleen.
The top of the kidney has an adrenal gland which is surrounded by two layers of fat.
The layers are perirenal fat which is present between renal fascia and the renal capsule and paralegal fat which is superior to the renal fascia.
The kidney has a convex and concave border and at a recessed area on the concave border is the renal hilum where the renal artery enters.
What are the Causes of Kidney Failure?
Kidney failure is caused if the filtration of the blood and toxins removal from the body does not take place properly.
The following are the causes of kidney failure:
Kidneys lose the ability to sufficiently filter waste from the blood.
Kidney trauma.
Excess of dehydration.
Suffering from acute and chronic diseases.
Unreached blood flow to the kidneys.
Heart-related diseases.
Liver failure or scarring of the liver.
A severe allergic reaction.
High blood pressure.
Several types of cancers.
Stones in the kidney.
An enlarged prostate.
Urinary tract blood clots.
Overload of toxins from heavy metals.
What are the different types of components in blood?
Blood is a tissue that consists of plasma, blood cells and platelets. It circulates throughout our body delivering nutrients to various cells and tissues. It makes up to 8 percent of our body weight. An average adult person possesses around 5-6 litres of blood. The plasma is a liquid portion of the blood that contains dissolved proteins, hormones and nutrients. The chief protein in plasma is albumin, which helps to maintain the oncotic pressure. The liquid state of blood is due to plasma, which makes up to 55% of it. It is pale yellow and when separated, it consists of salts, nutrients, water and enzymes. Blood plasma also has many important proteins and other components which are necessary for overall health. The blood cells that are responsible for carrying oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout the body are called red blood cells (RBC). The red colour of RBCs comes from haemoglobin, a protein. These cells are produced by the bone marrow and function to transport oxygen through the body. The White blood cells (WBC) are responsible for fighting foreign pathogens that enter our body. They circulate throughout our body and originate from the bone marrow. Lastly, Platelets are tiny disc-shaped cells that play a part in the body’s healing process. When any part of the body is damaged, platelets immediately go to work, aiding in fast recovery through clotting of blood.
Explain the human respiratory system?
The Human Respiratory system is long and consists of the involvement of many organs. The system is-
Nose- Humans have two nostrils, which are separated by a framework of cartilage called the septum. The nose has tiny hair follicles that cover its interior lining. These hairs help to filter bacteria and other pathogens out of the air before it enters the lungs. Additionally, they provide additional humidity for inhaled air.
Larynx - 2 cartilaginous chords form the body of the larynx, which is found in front of the neck and is responsible for vocals as well as aiding respiration. The epiglottis flips over the top of the windpipe while food is being swallowed to prevent it from entering into the larynx.
Pharynx - The pharynx is a common passage for air as well as food. It prevents the entry of food particles into the windpipe and allows the passage of air into the lungs, while also allowing food to pass through. The epiglottis is elastic cartilage that serves as a switch between the larynx and the oesophagus by allowing passage of air into the lungs, and food in the gastrointestinal tract.
Trachea- The trachea is a tube that carries air to the lungs. It is located below your larynx and extends down into your neck and chest. Its walls are made of cartilage, which gives it strength, while also allowing it to expand as necessary. The trachea splits into two tubes, one for each lung called bronchi.
Bronchi- The trachea splits into 2 tubes called the bronchi, which enter each lung individually. The bronchi divides into secondary and tertiary bronchioles, and it further branches out into small air-sacs called the alveoli. Alveoli are single-cell sacs of air with thin walls that facilitate the exchange of oxygen molecules into or away from the bloodstream.
Lungs- Lungs are spongy organs located in the thoracic cavity of the chest. They facilitate gas exchange between blood and air. The right lung is mostly bigger than the left lung. The human lung is a thin-walled sac located in the thoracic cavity. It has two lobes that are separated by the mediastinum, a fibrous partition. The lungs have several functions including respiration, gas exchange, protection of delicate structures and production of surfactants to reduce surface tension between the alveoli.
What are the functions of the human heart and how does it work?
The human heart is one of the main organs responsible for sustaining life. It is a muscular organ that comprises 4 chambers. The size of a human heart is about the size of its fist. The human heart functions throughout a person’s lifespan and is one of the strongest and hardest working muscles in the human body. Besides humans, most other animals have a heart that pumps blood throughout their bodies. Even invertebrates like grasshoppers, etc have a pumping organ (like a heart), but it does not work in the same way as a human heart does. The heart’s main function is to maintain a constant flow of blood throughout the body. This function of the heart replenishes oxygen and circulates the nutrients among all the cells and the tissues. The heart is one of the most crucial organs in the human body. It pumps blood throughout the body and delivers oxygen and nutrients to every part of us, including the heart itself. The heart is responsible for maintaining adequate blood pressure in the body. The human heart is about the size of one’s fist and is divided into 4 chambers, namely two ventricles and two atria. The heart is a muscular organ in the human body that pumps blood throughout it. It is made up of 4 chambers; 2 atria, or upper chambers, and 2 ventricles, or lower chambers. Both atria are located on the right side of the heart, while both ventricles are located in the left side of the heart. The right and left sides function separately. The heart is the organ that pumps blood through the body. The aorta is the main artery of the body, running from the left ventricle of the heart to every part of the body.
