Structure of Kidneys | Biology Class 11 - NEET PDF Download

Different organisms have different excretory mechanisms. In humans, the excretory system primarily consists of the kidneys . Excretion is an important process in living organisms that involves the removal of waste products and harmful substances from the body. It is a vital function for maintaining the internal balance and overall health of an organism. If excretion did not occur, these waste products would build up in our bodies and disrupt normal bodily functions.

Human Excretory System?

The Human excretory system is responsible for removing waste products from the body. It consists of several organs, including the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra. Excretion plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis (Hemostasis is the body's process of maintaining a stable and balanced internal environment).

Parts  of Human Excretory System

What are kidneys?

Pair of Kidneys

Location of Kidneys

The kidneys are bean-shaped organs in our bodies having reddish brown color.  and they are located between the last thoracic and third lumbar vertebrae, near the back wall of the abdomen.

• In an adult human each kidney measures 10-12 cm in length, 5-7 cm in width & 2-3 cm in thickness.
• On an average weight of Kidneys is 120- 170 grams.
• In humans right kidney is at slightly lower level than left kidney.

Location Of Kidneys

Structure  of Kidney

External Structure Of Kidney

• The kidneys have a strong outer layer called the capsule. 
• They  have a hollow area called the hilum where things like the ureter, blood vessels, and nerves go inside.
•  Above the hilum, there is a funnel-shaped space called the renal pelvis with small projections called calyces.

Internal Structure of Kidney

(i) An Outer Cortex

• The outer cortex of the kidney is like a shell or outer layer. It surrounds the inner parts of the kidney and helps to protect and support its functions. 
• It contains many tiny filtering units called nephrons, which play a vital role in filtering and cleaning the blood. 
• The outer cortex is important for the overall functioning of the kidney and maintaining the body's balance of fluids and waste products.

(ii) An Inner Medulla

• The inner medulla of the kidney is divided into cone-shaped structures known as medullary pyramids. These pyramids extend into the calyces and are also referred to as renal columns.
• The cortex extends in between the medullary pyramids as renal columns called Columns of Bertini.
• Nephrons are the structural and functional units of kidneys. 
• Nephrons eliminate wastes from the body, regulate blood volume and pressure, control levels of electrolytes  and  metabolites and regulate blood pH. 

(a) Structure and Parts of Nephron

Structure Of Nephron

The Nephron is the functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtering and processing blood to form urine. It consists of Two main parts:

(i) Glomerulus

The Glomerulus, composed of a cluster of tiny capillaries, acts as a filter to remove waste products and excess water from the blood.
The glomerulus consists of three main parts

• Afferent Arteriole: This small artery carries blood into the glomerulus under high pressure. It brings blood from the main renal artery into the glomerulus for the process of filtration.

• Glomerular Capillaries: These small blood vessels form a network of loops within the glomerulus. They are highly specialized for the purpose of filtration. As blood flows through these capillaries, waste products and excess fluids are filtered out and collected for further processing.

• Efferent Arteriole: This small artery carries the filtered blood away from the glomerulus. It transports the purified blood to the next stage of the renal circulation

(ii) Renal Tubule

The Renal tubule is a long and twisted tube,  plays a crucial role in the kidney's filtration process. It reabsorbs important substances like water, glucose, and salts back into the bloodstream while allowing waste products to continue their journey for elimination as urine.

Functions of Each Part

(a) Bowman's Capsule: This cup-like structure surrounds the glomerulus and collects the filtrate produced during glomerular filtration.

(b) Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT): This highly coiled region reabsorbs valuable substances from the filtrate, such as glucose, water, and electrolytes, back into the bloodstream. It also secretes waste products for elimination.

(c) Loop of Henle: The U-shaped portion of the renal tubule consists of a descending limb and an ascending limb. It helps maintain urine concentration by allowing water reabsorption in the descending limb and electrolyte reabsorption in the ascending limb.

(d) Distal Convoluted Tubule (DCT): Located after the Loop of Henle, this coiled section further reabsorbs water and electrolytes and regulates acid-base balance and the excretion of certain substances.

(e) Collecting Duct: This larger tube receives filtrate from multiple nephrons and carries it towards the renal pelvis, where it becomes urine.

NOTE:  The glomerulus, together with Bowman's capsule, is referred to as the Malpighian body or renal corpuscle.

Malpighian Body

The efferent arteriole that comes out of the glomerulus creates a small network of capillaries surrounding the renal tubule known as the peritubular capillaries. Within this network, there is a tiny vessel that runs alongside the Henle's loop, taking the shape of a 'U', which is called the vasa recta.

(b) Types of Nephrons

(i) Cortical Nephrons 

• Cortical Nephrons are the most common type of nephrons, constituting about 85% of the total nephrons in the kidney. 
• They are located in the cortex (outer region) of the kidney. The renal corpuscle (glomerulus and Bowman's capsule) of cortical nephrons is situated in the outer part of the cortex. 
• The loop of Henle of cortical nephrons does not extend deeply into the medulla.

(ii)Juxtamedullary Nephrons: 

• Juxtamedullary Nephrons are less numerous, accounting for about 15% of the total nephrons in the kidney. 
• They have their renal corpuscle situated near the boundary of the cortex and medulla. 
• The loop of Henle of juxtamedullary Nephrons extends deeply into the medulla, allowing for the concentration of urine. These nephrons play a crucial role in maintaining the concentration gradient in the kidney.