Each nephron consists of a ball formed of small blood capillaries, called a glomerulus, and a small tube called a renal tubule. The kidneys remove urea from the blood through tiny filtering units called nephrons. Release hormones to regulate blood pressure Remove waste products and drugs from the body Two kidneys. This pair of purplish-brown organs is located below the ribs toward the middle of the back. Kidney and urinary system parts and their functions Kidneys also regulate the acid-base balance and conserve fluids. Other important functions of the kidneys include blood pressure regulation and the production of erythropoietin, which controls red blood cell production in the bone marrow. Urea is carried in the bloodstream to the kidneys, where it is removed along with water and other wastes in the form of urine.

Urea is produced when foods containing protein, such as meat, poultry, and certain vegetables, are broken down in the body. The kidney and urinary systems help the body to eliminate liquid waste called urea, and to keep chemicals, such as potassium and sodium, and water in balance. After the body has taken the food components that it needs, waste products are left behind in the bowel and in the blood. The body takes nutrients from food and converts them to energy. The organs of the urinary system include the kidneys, renal pelvis, ureters, bladder and urethra.

The urinary system's function is to filter blood and create urine as a waste by-product.

Kidney and adrenal gland anatomy