K is for Kidneys and L is for Liver #AtoZChallenge

Fun (fun??) facts you may not know about the kidneys and the liver make up today's combination A to Z Challenge post for the letters K and L.


K

The human kidneys are quite a pair! They filter around 150 quarts of blood, and produce a couple of quarts of urine.... every day!

Even though the kidneys and liver are often talked about together, they are actually part of two different bodily systems. The kidneys are part of the excretory system; and the liver is part of the alimentary (digestive) system.

The kidneys regulate blood pressure, blood volume, the blood's pH and ions, produces red blood cells (!!), synthesizes vitamin D (!!!), and obviously eliminates waste and foreign substances (if any). Wow!

The kidneys can produce stones made up of salt and mineral deposits -- and anyone who has ever had a kidney stone can attest to how painful they can be.



L

The liver is the largest organ in the human body.

The liver filters blood in the digestive system. 

It also "detoxes" the blood of chemicals or drugs, secretes bile, and produces proteins. 

It metabolizes carbohydrates, protein and fat; and stores vitamins and minerals. 

Miraculously, if injured or even after liver surgery, the liver is actually capable of regenerating itself under the right circumstances!










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