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Where are the kidneys located in the human body?
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renal system disease
Organs of the renal system.
The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped, reddish-brown organs situated high within the abdominal cavity. They are positioned against the back wall of the abdomen, located on either side of the vertebral column.
Specifically, the kidneys lie between the levels of the 12th thoracic and third lumbar vertebrae, positioned outside the peritoneum. Their long axes align with the body, though the upper pole of each kidney is tilted slightly inward toward the backbone.1