Final answer:
Nephropexy is a surgical procedure to reposition a dislocated kidney back to its normal location, providing relief for symptoms and protecting kidney function. Nephrologists treat kidney diseases and work on advanced treatments like artificial kidneys. Healthy kidneys filter blood and produce urine, with the renal cortex containing the nephrons critical for this process.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nephropexy is a surgical procedure often involving the fixation or repositioning of a dislocated or floating kidney (nephroptosis) back to its normal anatomical position. The term nephro refers to the kidney, while -pexy denotes surgical fixation. This procedure can be pivotal for patients experiencing symptoms due to the abnormal movement of the kidney, which can affect the organ's function.
A nephrologist specializes in the study and treatment of kidney diseases, such as diabetic nephropathy, glomerulonephritis, and kidney failure. Kidneys perform the critical function of filtering waste and excess water from the blood, forming urine. Nephrons, the functional units of the kidney, facilitate this filtering process. Compromised kidney function can lead to a need for dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Conditions such as pyelonephritis, renal failure, and kidney stones can cause debilitating symptoms and affect overall kidney health. Surgical interventions like nephropexy can address structural issues, while nephrologists focus on medical management of kidney diseases. Advancements in technology, such as the development of an artificial kidney by specialists like Dr. William Fissell, offer hope for patients with severe kidney diseases.
The kidneys are protected by the renal fascia and cushioned by a layer of fat called the renal fat pad. The organ is composed of a renal cortex and medulla, with the cortex containing the functional nephrons. Waste filtered by the nephrons passes through the renal papillae into the minor calyces, eventually becoming the urine that is excreted from the body.