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Definition: Kidney

Kidney

The kidneys are a pair of organs that are found on either side of the spine, just below the rib cage in the back. Kidneys:

  • filter waste materials out of the blood and pass them out of the body as urine
  • regulate blood pressure and the levels of water, salts, and minerals in the body
  • produce hormones that control other body functions

Damage to the kidneys can occur in people who have had diabetes for many years, particularly if the diabetes is not well controlled.