The Kidneys in 3D
Paired bean-shaped organs that filter the blood and form urine, keeping water, salts and pH in balance (osmoregulation). Rotate it, zoom in, and tap each labelled part to learn its structure and function the NCERT way.
Parts of the kidneys
Renal cortex
Outer region containing the glomeruli and convoluted tubules of the nephrons.
Renal medulla
Inner region with the loops of Henle and collecting ducts; concentrates urine.
Ureter
Muscular tube that carries urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder.
Kidneys — the NCERT essentials
NCERT — Excretory Products and their Elimination. Each kidney contains about a million nephrons, the structural and functional units. A nephron has a Malpighian body (glomerulus + Bowman’s capsule) and a renal tubule (PCT, loop of Henle, DCT).
Urine formation has three steps: glomerular filtration (ultrafiltration of blood in the Bowman’s capsule), selective reabsorption of useful substances like glucose and water in the tubules, and tubular secretion of extra ions like H⁺ and K⁺.
The loop of Henle and the counter-current mechanism concentrate the urine, while the hormone ADH controls how much water is reabsorbed.
Did you know? Filtrate is fine-tuned so nearly all glucose and most water is reabsorbed.
How the kidneys works — step by step
- 1
Ultrafiltration: blood is filtered in the glomerulus into the Bowman’s capsule, forming filtrate.
- 2
Selective reabsorption: glucose, amino acids and most water are reabsorbed in the PCT and loop of Henle.
- 3
Tubular secretion: extra H⁺, K⁺ and ammonia are secreted into the filtrate to keep blood pH balanced.
- 4
Concentrated urine collects in the collecting duct and drains via the ureter to the urinary bladder.
FAQ
Kidneys — frequently asked questions
What is the function of the kidneys?▾
Filters blood and forms urine. The nephron is the structural and functional unit of the kidney (~1 million per kidney).
What are the main parts of the kidneys?▾
Key labelled parts include Renal cortex, Renal medulla, Ureter. In the 3D model you can tap each one to read what it does.
Which NCERT chapter covers the kidneys for NEET?▾
NCERT — Excretory Products and their Elimination. Each kidney contains about a million nephrons, the structural and functional units. A nephron has a Malpighian body (glomerulus + Bowman’s capsule) and a renal tubule (PCT, loop of Henle, DCT).
Is there an interactive 3D kidneys model for NEET students?▾
Yes. PracticeNEET's 3D Anatomy Studio lets you rotate and zoom a real kidneys model and tap labelled dots to learn each part — free, in your browser, no sign-in needed to explore.
See the kidneys from every angle.
Open the interactive 3D model — rotate, zoom, and tap each labelled part.
Open the 3D Anatomy Studio