The bilateral kidneys are situated on both sides of the body vertically below the large muscle that separates the chest cavity and abdominal cavity, and horizontally near the lower back. The kidneys clear wastes from the blood. Each kidney is connected to the bladder in the pelvis by ureters (long tube-like structures) that drain the urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Urine stored in the bladder is excreted from the body through the urethra. Collectively, these structures make up what is called the urinary tract.
