Question

Are kidneys hollow or solid? What are their components?

Answer 1

The kidneys are paired solid organs which can be broadly divided into two parts, the outer cortex and innder medulla. Both of these components contain a different variety of cells and perform different functions. Whereas the cortex generally contains the head-part of the nephrons and the glomerular complex, the medulla generally contains the tail-part or the extended part of the nephron and the glomerular complex. This is why the cortex is extremely rich in blood supply as compared to the medulla. Whereas active absorption of the major and large biomolecules of the deoxygenated blood takes place at the cortex, the absorption of water and ions is largely carried out in the medulla.

Thus, this explains the differential structural, physical and physiological properties of the kidneys and their components.