Kidney transplants have been performed for about 50 years with excellent success, and have become a viable option for the treatment of renal (kidney) failure. In patients with end stage renal failure transplantation has been shown to have better long term prognosis than long term renal dialysis.

Anatomy and Physiology

• There are two kidneys. Each kidney weighs about 5 -6 ounces and lies against the vertebrae and lower ribs. The kidneys lie behind the liver and colon on the right side and the stomach and pancreas on the left side (Figure 1)
  
• The adrenal glands (gland that makes steroid in the body) lie over the superior surface of the kidneys
  
• The kidneys are usually supplied each by a single renal artery from the aorta and single renal vein draining into the inferior vena cava
  
• The ureter is a muscular tube that drains urine from the kidney into the bladder
  
• The kidneys are responsible for making urine and functions to control blood salt and water balance and removal of waste products from the body
  
• Blood flow to the kidney through the renal artery is filtered to remove water and waste products. This is a specialized function that is regulated by hormones, nerves and salt concentrations in the body

Figure 1 - Anatomy of the kidneys, ureters and urinary bladder. Also shown is the blood supply and blood drainage of the kidney. Note the position of the iliac arteries and veins to which a donor kidney is attached, © J. Mack