Kidneys are a paired organ located in the retroperitoneal cavity between the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. The medulla of the kidney is formed by fan-like pyramids. They are directed towards the cortex of the kidneys with their base, and with their upper part towards the renal "gates". These peculiar pyramids are separated by pillars. The cortex and medulla of the kidneys are closely related. The renal columns are separate sections of the cortical substance. It, in turn, enters the brain.
Such a pyramid, together with the cortical substance, forms the so-called renal lobe.
Dividing the medulla into sections
The medulla of the kidney is divided into two sections:
- external;
- internal.
Its outer part is located next to the cortical substance. Brain rays exit from it into the renal cortex - small segments of the central tubulesinside, large upward-going segments. Also in the renal medulla are cortical collecting ducts. The inner section ends with the renal papilla.
What are papillae
This part of the renal medulla is the segments of the collecting duct of the organ. The recesses of these parts are located around the upper part of the papilla. They form, as it were, a “lattice” of the papilla. The papillae are surrounded by small renal calyces. One such cup can capture 1, 2, sometimes even 3 papillae. A pair of renal calyxes can unite into one large one and form the ureters. They, in turn, are responsible for connecting single cups to the pelvis.
Functions of the medulla of the kidney and the organ as a whole
Disturbances in the functioning of this paired organ can lead to many diseases and disruptions in the functioning of other organs and systems. The kidneys perform extremely important functions in the human body. These include:
- removal of various decay products;
- blood pressure control;
- maintain normal body fluids;
- direct participation in the process of blood clotting;
- metabolism of nutrients;
- ridding the body of waste and toxins.
The excretory function of the kidneys is one of the main ones. It is responsible for cleansing and filtering everything that enters the body.
First, the blood “collects” everything useful and necessary, then the kidneys remove everything superfluous and unnecessary.
What hormones are secreted by the kidneys, andhow they are useful
For the normal functioning of organs, special substances are needed - hormones. The kidneys secrete a hormone called renin. It controls fluid retention in the body, thereby regulating blood volume. Also, the kidneys secrete erythropoietin, it is responsible for the blood cells in the bone marrow. Prostaglandins contribute to normal blood pressure. Few people know that the kidneys convert vitamin D to D3. Without which the normal functioning of the body is absolutely impossible. They pass through themselves about 1 liter of liquid every minute, protecting the body from the effects of toxins that come with harmful food, drink, drugs, and alcohol.
Structure of the cortical and medulla of the kidney
The cortical substance, in simple words, surrounds the medulla and leads off small processes that "look" at the center of the organ. It consists of radiant and folded areas. At the same time, the radiant continues the basis of the medulla. Collapsed consists of renal corpuscles and nephron tubules. In early infancy, these details can be seen very clearly on ultrasound. The renal medulla follows the cortex.
It contains the ends of the tubules located in the cortical substance. It is here that the primary urine enters after filtration. Then it passes into the pelvis and only then into the ureter. Understanding the structure of the medulla of the kidney is quite simple.
What is a nephron
Nefron in professional medicine is a structural unit of the kidneys.
Nefrons form a set of organs responsible for the excretory function. Urine is carefully processed along the way through the nephrons and the unnecessary part of the liquid is reabsorbed. Useful substances (carbohydrates, fats and proteins) are sent further. Poisons and other toxic substances are excreted through the urine stream.
The most common symptoms of kidney disease
Very often, with back pain, a person does not know what to do, what to do before going to the doctor.
To correctly recognize whether the kidneys are disturbing, or maybe the problem is different, you need to pay attention to such points:
- Unaccustomed fatigue. If such a sensation occurs for no apparent reason, it is likely that the kidneys are impaired. The hormone erythropoietin is also responsible for supplying oxygen to the blood. With disorders in the work of the medulla of the kidney, the production of this hormone decreases. Accordingly, the body receives insufficient oxygen and quickly gets tired.
- Swelling of the legs. Sometimes the legs swell due to impaired circulation. But often this happens due to problems with the organs of the urinary system. Particular attention should be paid to edema, which is accompanied by swelling of the face, hands and hair loss. Such a violation is provoked by inadequate functioning of the kidneys - they do not have time to filter the fluid entering the body.
- Impaired urination. Frequent urge to go to the toilet is one of the first reasons that speak of kidney problems. Particular attention should be paid totrips to the toilet at night. Often these can be false urges. Also, changes in the color of urine can indicate diseases of the paired organ.
- Redness and severe itching on the skin. This phenomenon occurs as a result of a delay in the body of toxins. They poison the blood, causing rashes, redness, and severe itching. It seems to reach deep inside and has a rather unpleasant character.
- Taste of metal in the mouth. The appearance of such a symptom should immediately alert and force you to seek help from a qualified physician. If the food at breakfast or lunch does not seem to be habitually tasty, but, on the contrary, has an unpleasant taste and aroma similar to ammonia, this indicates serious disorders in the kidneys.
Main causes of kidney disease
Specialists identify the following reasons why various diseases of the genitourinary system, in particular kidneys, may occur:
- strong mechanical impact from the outside (blow, push);
- congenital disorders of the kidneys;
- poisoning with toxic substances, toxins;
- damage to the body by fungi, parasites or viruses;
- circulatory disorders.
Treatment of kidney diseases with folk remedies
Traditional medicine is rich in plant-based recipes that help with a variety of ailments.
With kidney diseases, including. The most common of these are:
- chamomile;
- cinquefoil;
- immortelle;
- dandelion;
- St. John's wort;
- mint.
It is always necessary to start treatment with cleansing the body. In this case, you can use the following tools:
- Pour boiling water over dry dandelion root and insist in a water bath for 20 minutes. Drink in one day in three doses.
- 10 g of horsetail pour a glass of boiling water and leave for 10 minutes. Then strain and drink on an empty stomach in the morning.
- With nephritis, traditional medicine recommends taking a cornflower infusion. You need to take 15 g of a dry flower and pour 350 ml of boiled water. Insist in a warm place for 1.5 hours and strain. Drink three times a day.
Herbal teas are also very popular for kidney problems. They help cleanse the body of harmful substances and improve the ability of the kidneys to filter fluids entering the body. You can make teas like this:
- Stir 5 g each of juniper leaves, immortelle and chamomile. Pour boiling water over raw materials and leave for half an hour. Then strain from the remnants of plants and drink three times a day for a tablespoon.
- Mix dry horsetail and juniper raw materials in equal amounts and simmer in a water bath for 20 minutes. Then remove, pour into a thermos and leave for 3-4 hours. Strain and take 30 ml every day.
No less useful for diseases of the genitourinary system and cereals. These include: millet, oats, rice. From millet, for example, even our grandmothers prepared healing porridge. It removes toxins from the body well. For hercooking, you need to take 1 glass of cereal and 2.5-3 glasses of water. Millet must first be soaked in water overnight, ideally overnight. Then drain the water, and the rest at the bottom - into a glass (it can be taken before meals to improve the effect). Pour clean water into the cereal and cook until the porridge is ready. It can be consumed daily as a delicious side dish. You should not supplement this dish with fatty salads with mayonnaise or fatty meat. It is better to give preference to a light vegetable salad and white chicken meat.
