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what is a kidney and name the functions.

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that extract waste from blood, balance body fluids, form urine, and aid in other important functions of the body.
They reside against the back muscles in the upper abdominal cavity. They sit opposite each other on both sides of the spine. The right kidney sits a little bit lower than the left to accommodate the liver.
Functions of kidney:
It regulates water,removes waste,produces hormones.

Regulates water:
For your body to work properly, it must contain just the right amount of water. One of the important jobs of the kidneys is to remove excess water from the body or to retain water when the body needs more.
Removes waste:
Many of the substances in the blood and body fluid must be kept at the correct level for the body to function properly.  When the kidneys are working properly, excess minerals, such as sodium and potassium, are excreted from the body in the urine. The kidneys also help to regulate the levels of other minerals, such as calcium and phosphate, which are important for the formation of bone.
Kidney produce hormones:
Normal kidneys also make important chemical messengers called hormones. These hormones circulate in the bloodstream and regulate some body functions such as blood pressure, the making of red blood cells, and the uptake of calcium from the intestine.


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