Kidney Location & Anatomy: Where are Your Kidneys?

The kidneys are organs located in the abdominal cavity, posterior to the peritoneum. In humans, there are two kidneys, one on each side of the vertebral column. The right kidney is slightly lower than the left kidney due to the position of the liver.

More precisely, the kidneys are located in the retroperitoneal space, between the twelfth thoracic vertebra and the third lumbar vertebra. They are situated behind the peritoneum, the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity. The right kidney is located slightly lower than the left kidney, and both are positioned just below the diaphragm.

Each kidney is surrounded by a layer of fat called the perirenal fat, which helps to protect it. The kidneys are also covered by a fibrous capsule called the renal capsule.