What is the role of the kidneys?
The kidneys are 2 fist-sized organs situated under the posterior rib cage, and are designed to be a finely-tuned, low-maintenance waste disposal system for the entire body. It cleans the body regularly, processing 200 liters of blood daily, to form 1-2 liters of urine. In addition, the kidneys stimulate the bone marrow to make red blood cells. Kidneys also adjust calcium balance and activate bone vitamins to maintain strong healthy bones. Finally, the kidneys control blood pressure by modulating the secretion of some vascular hormones and blood volume.
