8 extraordinary facts you should know about kidneys
Shaped like beans and located towards the back, kidneys are an essential organ responsible for the removal of waste products, among other functions. They are two in number, with the right kidney located slightly below the left one on the opposite side to accommodate the liver. Apart from other obvious information, there are many interesting facts about this organ that will blow your mind!
- The rise in chronic kidney disease could be related to climate change
According to research, the heat brought about by global warming could adversely affect our kidneys, which are vulnerable to extreme conditions.
- Nephrons in kidneys measure up to five miles long
Nephrons, the functional unit of kidneys, is the structure that produces urine during the process of waste removal. There are about 1.15 million nephrons in the body, which, when laid out, measure approximately 5 miles or 8 kilometers.
- Largest kidney stone recorded was longer than a rugby ball
In July 2017, Guinness presented an official certificate to Ahmed Saeed Mohammed Omar, who had a kidney stone that weighed more than 4 kilograms and was longer than a rugby ball!
- Kidneys filter a whopping 45 gallons of blood per day
The two bean-shaped organs, working through the clock every day, treat about 150 quarts or 600 cups’ worth of blood in a matter of 24 hours.
- Ancient Egyptians might be the first to explain kidneys
An Egyptian papyrus from over 3000 years ago offered insight into the organ, which could very well have been the first mention of it in history.
- Kidneys find mention in the Bible
Always referred to in plural form, kidneys find mention over 30 times in the Holy Bible. In the Pentateuch—the first five books of the Bible, kidneys are quoted 11 times.
- First-ever kidney transplant in 1933 failed
Russian medical pioneer, Yurii Voronoy was the first person to attempt a kidney transplant in April 1933. The recipient, however, died a couple of days later due to a mismatch in the donor’s kidney and patient tissue type.
- Too much water can be dangerous for kidneys
Drinking too much water causes hyponatremia—a condition where sodium concentration in the blood is too low. Although it is uncommon, the ailment can become severe and cause swelling of cells.
