Final answer:
b) False
The claim that both kidneys move downward approximately 1 inch is false; typically, physiological movement of the kidneys is less than that, and any positional differences between the kidneys are due to fixed anatomical reasons rather than movement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that both kidneys move downward approximately 1 inch is false. While it is true that the kidneys are mobile organs, their normal physiological movement, known as renal ptosis or nephroptosis, is generally less than 1 inch during typical bodily functions such as breathing. The kidneys are retroperitoneal and sit against the posterior wall of the abdomen, protected by the eleventh and twelfth ribs. The fact that the right kidney is slightly lower than the left is not due to movement but to its permanent position; it is displaced by the liver. The kidneys are also surrounded by adipose tissue and a fibrous capsule that provides cushioning and protection.