1. What are the characteristics of kidneys?
1.1 Kidney composition
The kidneys are bean-shaped and about 10 cm x 5 cm in size.
A kidney is made up of richly vascularized filtration units, the nephrons, which are composed of a renal capsule (blood glomerulus enveloped in Bowman's capsule). This is extended by a long, contoured tube, comprising four portions with different functions:
proximal tube;
the U-shaped loop of Henlé ;
distal tube;
Bellini's collecting tube, which evacuates urine.
An adult human kidney contains around 1 million nephrons.
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Setal. J. Exposure to organic solvents. Risk of progression of chronic kidney disease to end-stage renal disease. DMT, 2008, 114,233-41.
Lauwerys. R. Toxicologie industrielle et intoxications professionnelles. Masson, 5th ed. 2007.
Stengel. B. Renal diseases of occupational toxic origin. Encycl. Surgical Medicine, Toxicology, 16-530-H-10,...
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