Can’t Get a Neph of Kidneys: National Kidney Month
It's common knowledge that in the United States, we have months dedicated to bringing awareness to specific heritages or marginalized groups, but did you know that a whole month is dedicated to an organ?
That’s right! The month of March is honoring one of our body's most important yet overlooked organs – the kidney!
What is the Kidney? What Does the Kidney Do For Us?
We have two retroperitoneal, bean-shaped kidneys located just below the ribs, one on each side of the spine. The kidney has an array of responsibilities; primary functions include the filtration and secretion of substances, the transfer of urine to the ureter, and the regulation of blood pH and blood pressure. In simple terms, the kidneys are the reason all other organs in our body function properly; without standard mineral, blood pressure, and solvent levels, all sorts of issues can arise. For instance, acute kidney failure occurs when the kidneys can no longer filter waste products in your blood; chronic kidney disease can be caused by high blood pressure or diabetes. Both of these conditions can decrease the kidneys’ glomerular filtration rate, an essential part of filtration that involves fluid movement from the glomerulus of the nephron into the bowman’s capsule.
Kidney Anatomy & Physiology
The kidney may look like a simple structure, but it carries out many processes vital to the body's functioning. The functional unit of the kidney is called the nephron. Nephrons are complex structures essential in filtering our body’s waste products. First, blood enters the nephron through the glomerulus, a capillary bed connected to the afferent arteriole. The blood is then filtered from the glomerulus to the bowman's capsule. This filtrate then travels through the tubule and encounters more filtration and secretion; additionally, blood vessels reabsorb water and nutrients, which are returned to circulation to the rest of the body. Once the filtrate arrives at the collecting duct, it is considered urine. Next, the urine moves into the ureter and the bladder and is finally excreted from the body through the urethra.
How Are Kidneys Involved in the Organ Donation Process?
Kidneys are the most commonly transplanted organ in the United States. In 2021, nearly 25,000 kidney transplants were performed out of 41,000+ total organ transplant surgeries. There are two types of kidney transplants: deceased-donor transplants (DDTs) and living-donor transplants (LDTs). Approximately a third of kidneys for transplants come from living donors, and the other two-thirds come from deceased donors. Although most kidney transplants are from deceased donors, living-kidney donations are the most common type of LDT. Living-donor kidney transplants have a 98% chance of success, compared to the 95% success rate for deceased-donor transplants.
How Can You Help?
Now that you know all about the functions of the kidney and its involvement in organ donation, you can educate others about this incredible organ! You can help by signing up to be an organ donor, educating your friends and family about the benefits of organ donation, or volunteering at an Organ Procurement Organization near you. For more information, read below:
Organ Procurement Organizations by State:
More information about Living Donation:
Find Transplant Programs Nearby:
