Kidneys Anatomy in 3D: How They Filter Blood
The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs near the back of the belly, either side of the spine. They filter the blood, removing waste and extra water as urine. In the 3D Anatomy simulator you can open the kidneys and take a guided tour of each part.
Explore in 3DKidneys quick facts
| Where they are | Back of the belly, either side of the spine, under the lower ribs |
|---|---|
| Number | Two |
| Size | About 12 cm long, roughly a fist |
| Filters | About 180 litres of fluid a day |
| Urine made | About 1 to 2 litres a day |
Interesting facts about the kidneys
- Each kidney contains about a million tiny filters called nephrons.
- They clean all the blood in the body many times every day.
- Urine runs from each kidney to the bladder through a tube called a ureter.
- Kidneys also help control blood pressure and keep the right balance of salt and water.
- A person can live a healthy life with just one working kidney.
What you can do in 3D
Open the kidneys to see both on their own, then start the guided tour to tap the right kidney, left kidney and ureters one by one.
More organs in 3D
Tap any part to open its page.
Kidneys questions
Where are the kidneys?
Near the back of the belly, one on each side of the spine, just below the ribcage.
What do the kidneys do?
They filter the blood, removing waste and extra water as urine, and help balance salt, water and blood pressure.
How much blood do the kidneys filter?
They filter about 180 litres of fluid a day and turn about 1 to 2 litres of it into urine.
Can you live with one kidney?
Yes. One healthy kidney can do the work of two.
What are nephrons?
Tiny filtering units inside the kidneys. Each kidney has about a million of them.
The 3D Anatomy simulator is made by Julian Neagu, a solo founder in London, as part of VisionVix Simulators. It is free to use in the browser on desktop and phone, with no sign-up. This page is for learning and is not medical advice.