The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that sit below the ribs. Found on both sides of the spine, they filter blood, regulate blood pressure, and produce a hormone that aids the formation of red blood cells. The ureters are narrow tubes that take urine from the kidneys to the bladder. The bladder is a muscular sac in the lower abdomen. The expandable organ’s main function is to store urine from the kidneys. In a healthy individual, the bladder can store up to two cups of urine comfortably. Then a duct, the urethra, excretes urine from the body. Urination occurs when the brain signals the bladder muscles to relax and contract.
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