The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located on either side of your spine, just below the rib cage. Each kidney is about the size of a fist and plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health. Their primary function is to filter waste products, excess fluids, and toxins from the bloodstream, which are then excreted from the body as urine.

Each day, the kidneys filter around 50 gallons (190 liters) of blood, producing about 1 to 2 quarts (1 to 2 liters) of urine.

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The ureters are two slender, muscular tubes that play a critical role in the urinary system. Each ureter connects a kidney to the bladder, serving as a conduit for urine to travel from where it is produced in the kidneys to where it is stored in the bladder.

Measuring approximately 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 centimeters) in length, the ureters use rhythmic muscular contractions known as peristalsis to actively propel urine downward, regardless of body position. This process ensures a one-way flow and helps prevent backflow, which could lead to infection or kidney damage.

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