Maharashtra State PSC Model Paper 2

• Kidneys are the Bean-shaped organs situated on the backside of the abdomen and on each side of the vertebral column.
• Generally kidney measures;
  • length- 10 to 12 cm;
  • Height- 5 to 7 cm 
  • width- 2 to 3 cm.
• Kidneys are Retroperitoneal, so covered by peritoneum only from the front side (ventral side).
• The level of the kidney is from the 12th thoracic vertebra up to the 3rd Lumbar vertebra.
• Weight of each kidney
  • Male- 125 to 170 gram
  • Female- 115 to 155 grams
• Each kidney is convex from outside, while on inside there is a small depression known as hilum.
• Ureter comes out from this hilum.
  • The kidney of the frog does not have a hilum.
• The right kidney is situated slightly lower level than the left kidney.
• The outer layer of the kidney is called the Cortex.
• Inner to that there are 18 pyramid-shaped constituents, combined known as Medulla.
• Length of the ureter is 40 cm.
• A nephron is the structural and functional unit of the kidney.

• All of the Urine formed in the kidney is actually formed in nephrons.

Important Point

• This gland secretes a particular hormone that keeps the level of salts in the blood under control.
• It is situated on the kidneys.
• It secretes the Adrenaline hormone.
• This hormone helps during situations like anger, fear, stress.