Your kidneys are an important part of your body!

The Basics

• Most people have two kidneys.
• The kidneys are located on either side of the spine, just below the rib cage.
• Each kidney is about the size of your fist.
• The kidneys are shaped like "kidney beans".
• Your kidneys are connected to your bladder by tubes called ureters.

What Your Kidneys Do

Think of your kidneys like a pasta strainer or filter.  Your kidneys keep some things in your body that you need, and get rid of other things that you don't.  The kidneys also do many other jobs that you need to live.

Your Kidneys:

• Make urine
• Remove wastes and extra fluid from your blood
• Control your body's chemical balance
• Help control your blood pressure
• Help keep your bones healthy
• Help you make red blood cells

Updated on 12/20/07