17 Human body facts: little known human kidney facts

The adrenal glands lie right above the kidneys and release stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Tweet This

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The adrenal glands change size throughout lifetime. At birth, they are slightly smaller than kidneys, while adults’ glands shrink to 1/8 inch (3 mm). Tweet This

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Inside each kidney there are around a million nephrons, acting as tiny filters of the blood. All the waste from your blood goes out into your urine. Tweet This

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The kidneys keep the amount of body fluids constant. When dehydrated, kidneys will make less urine. Tweet This

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Kidneys filter blood approximately 400 times a day! Tweet This

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Kidneys cleanse about 44 ounces (1.3 litres) of blood every minute to produce about the same quantity of urine per day. Tweet This

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Kidney transplant would be normally put in your pelvis and the disabled kidney will not be extracted. Tweet This

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If the kidneys detect a drop in blood pressure, they signal blood vessels to shrink. Tweet This

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Should kidneys spot a drop in blood oxygen level, they will boost the creation of new red blood cells by releasing a hormone. Tweet This

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The yellow colour of urine is due to bilirubin. Tweet This

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Your body can work with only a single kidney. Tweet This

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Most donated kidneys usually come from a family member. Tweet This

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Your kidneys are responsible for activating the vitamin D. Tweet This

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Kidney bean is indeed shaped as a kidney. Tweet This

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The kidneys are connected to your bladder by tubes (ureters). When you pee, urine passes through the urethra. Tweet This

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When bladder is about half full, your brain is aware you need to pee. Tweet This

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Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe died of a ruptured bladder while holding his pee. Tweet This

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