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What Are the Kidneys?

By , About.com Guide

Updated January 07, 2009

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Normal Kidney Image

Normal Kidney Anatomy

Image: NIH
Definition: The kidneys are the organs responsible for filtering waste out of the blood turning the waste into urine to be removed from the body. If the kidneys do not work properly, dialysis or a kidney transplant may be needed.
Examples:
After her kidney transplant she no longer required dialysis treatments, she was able to produce urine.

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