Normal kidney function
Kidneys are bean shaped organs about the size of a fist. They are located below the ribcage on each side of the spine.
The kidneys filter waste products and extra fluid out of the blood. They filter between 120-150 quarts (113-140 liters) of blood each day, and make 1-2 quarts (1-2 liters) of urine.
Once urine has been made by the kidneys it travels into the bladder through tubes called ureters. The bladder stores urine and can hold about 400-600ml (1 ¾ to 2 ½ cups). When the bladder fills it sends a message to the brain to empty the bladder. The tube that takes urine from the bladder to outside the body is called the urethra. In men this tube is long and in women the tube is short.