10 FAQs About Diabetes Insipidus

2. What are the Kidneys and What is Their Function?

A kidney is a bean-shaped organ, about the size of your fist. People are born with two kidneys although they can live with just one. The kidneys are located right below the rib cage with one on either side of the spine. The primary function of the kidney is to filter anywhere from 120 to 150 quarts of blood every day. They are also responsible for producing one to two quarts of urine on a daily basis. The urine flows through tubes called ureters from the kidneys to the bladder. Urine is composed of wastes and fluids. Your bladder stores the urine until it is full. At that time, the body must release the urine through a tube at the bottom of the bladder called the urethra.