![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/08ea67f3-1786-42b4-b3a5-311b84450a7b_rw_1920.jpg?h=6a9cd96c62df07e9c9290160506a48f1)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/9368f87e-4f59-44e8-bae5-946b192cb824_rw_1920.jpg?h=2fefd8e74680906d92df10835f7d6205)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/1ef259a1-1ae9-47c7-acb6-0225239374e2_rw_1920.jpg?h=21de632ba793b95e252a3336ac7ca3d7)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/6fcbc27f-4b67-4199-828b-ac3459382eed_rw_1920.jpg?h=2de50f07e1d1babfeef71eddc1e2f560)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/f41595d5-5fe2-401a-9b70-a2a894e018e2_rw_1920.jpg?h=0dc0243dbe469c061021f2a359372d8f)
60 illustrations including 5 cartoons for 'Structures and Functions of the Kidneys' revision guide in keeping with the Oaka Books style. This was a great opportunity for me as an illustrator to revisit vector work.
Hover over each to read the accompanying captions.
Structures & Functions of the Kidney's, 2019
![The urinary system](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/f58b2fa3-52d5-4b93-882f-adfb5f79525c_rw_1920.jpg?h=6d90435124e8b169bf601f24c22eb9c2)
The urinary system
![Size of an adult kidney](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/c5ca76de-b305-4130-a4e4-4318100b5a19_rw_1920.jpg?h=a96a2f76c4677e328c21b24819967ba5)
Size of an adult kidney
![The kidneys remove toxic waste such as urea from the blood](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/dea72449-db97-4fc3-81b0-8cd6bf861b05_rw_1920.jpg?h=b3119c458963e5d4e7c786cc77b7cf84)
The kidneys remove toxic waste such as urea from the blood
![Urea & excess water & salts filtered out](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/2153d6ab-dc37-4e2a-841c-e1497ecab3e7_rw_1920.jpg?h=5e9059a0bbad62afee4cae82ce0751cf)
Urea & excess water & salts filtered out
![The bladder](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/3aff768b-330b-49a6-a292-b7fd73207090_rw_1920.jpg?h=6d4b2b8aa493a66a35344d6035b36148)
The bladder
![Passing urine - the urethra](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/5e2b26c3-e3d6-48d2-b3d1-62a01ec71960_rw_1920.jpg?h=6c1e8ae39522e00e363b27ecc66e05d1)
Passing urine - the urethra
![Kidney layers](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/8286cce3-4138-455b-bcaa-68fc2ea5f132_rw_1920.jpg?h=a82e4c49665864e0b29351767ab11ea9)
Kidney layers
![Nephrons](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/9bba3e8a-b943-44aa-ac2e-622621644d04_rw_1920.jpg?h=667766f124a715832af40acc16df9c24)
Nephrons
![Collecting ducts - where the body reabsorbs water](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/60f96bdb-f43c-4b05-9572-105f6a89d68d_rw_1920.jpg?h=c87435e7ed5d1b4e52f42b8da1c649fc)
Collecting ducts - where the body reabsorbs water
![The ureter - branches into collecting ducts & then nephrons](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/48c4c843-ac93-4999-b56f-402abb9a9bf7_rw_1920.jpg?h=9ffcd3fb10fb0d4b4268d4cf840cfc82)
The ureter - branches into collecting ducts & then nephrons
![Blood supply from the renal artery](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/0efa3267-ada5-4dbf-af3e-be1e12ffb5af_rw_1920.jpg?h=51e9e7a65e69db75a8311d6bb0c5d879)
Blood supply from the renal artery
![The kidneys clean blood](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/032ed82e-3f03-4765-b01e-a9c74d2b9560_rw_1920.jpg?h=11afb551e8857abb94248a66b3e0fd24)
The kidneys clean blood
![If they don't work properly toxins build up in the body](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/a3c175ea-2ac7-47da-b14c-4b8beb026139_rw_1920.jpg?h=e9f04e08c1274f5728336df096c476bf)
If they don't work properly toxins build up in the body
![Branching of renal artery into capillaries](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/03edaffc-fb8e-404f-a258-b9b00594d72f_rw_1920.jpg?h=064e91a186010c371f506b0699efefff)
Branching of renal artery into capillaries
![Bowman's Capsule](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/bc2ac450-ec35-44e5-915d-93f19def3609_rw_1920.jpg?h=c32da4c9682c97b8f5bfaabc44a14ee1)
Bowman's Capsule
![The glomerus](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/2f025dee-d809-41ca-90ee-96a9896cc284_rw_1920.jpg?h=95ff262cc3f3053ab40bfbcaa6f5b8e7)
The glomerus
![Pressure in capillaries causes ultra filtration](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/57ead4fc-725e-415f-8fcc-2a6d7873ae0a_rw_1920.jpg?h=c576dc0d1198f16736d6f240ebbb95f9)
Pressure in capillaries causes ultra filtration
![Blood containing larger molecules & proteins leaves through the capillaries](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/e8ac506f-a4b2-4cf8-8f0b-1b4015701eb7_rw_1920.jpg?h=6a8890cc550f14c340532e91c4145aa0)
Blood containing larger molecules & proteins leaves through the capillaries
![The liquid forced out is called the filtrate](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/9389bf1e-d709-4117-b6f9-cc5df4150e8f_rw_1920.jpg?h=44212ffdbb2f4ee444e15a5a7fa4626f)
The liquid forced out is called the filtrate
![Selective reabsorption of useful things back into capillaries](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/2fb61f08-0864-43cf-8a62-5443cd929c2f_rw_1920.jpg?h=e99a73f77c251f8a3e337ac7cfa2f4b0)
Selective reabsorption of useful things back into capillaries
![The loop of henle](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/6d32d0bb-296a-40a1-9bce-c0681e10b1a4_rw_1920.jpg?h=70edef31ff0a7d45489d8855bf2d9410)
The loop of henle
![Glucose, salts & water selectively reabsorbed](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/d8df4ee9-6d31-41d3-8c63-e3aaa32c580e_rw_1920.jpg?h=c59fbe69803107abb515b247a86e1860)
Glucose, salts & water selectively reabsorbed
![The nephrons control how much water, sugar & salt the body loses](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/ad64574a-8ca0-4486-a923-f265c83500a7_rw_1920.jpg?h=f1a0ed8782e2045772390957344f3f2e)
The nephrons control how much water, sugar & salt the body loses
![Changing the amount of water in the blood affects blood pressure](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/77c1e27a-387f-44db-b592-054fac65a7b7_rw_1920.jpg?h=bbf5fadf858046ef9c582ff1b0248020)
Changing the amount of water in the blood affects blood pressure
![Sweating affects the amount of water in the blood](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/bbdf90ad-d663-4d8f-8e56-ed6bab677938_rw_1920.jpg?h=9b5e881693e7d214ce3ad451912bc032)
Sweating affects the amount of water in the blood
![Diet - also affects water reabsorption](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/a03fe669-6b3a-494b-8b9e-00b8aac7245a_rw_1920.jpg?h=df186d705332625f91d1883ba6ceac43)
Diet - also affects water reabsorption
![Anti-diuretic hormone helps regulate water reabsorption](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/ea37012e-f78a-4a67-93b1-b03a2ecad91d_rw_1920.jpg?h=a88fac797b0f0a592c47c1fbefd74f56)
Anti-diuretic hormone helps regulate water reabsorption
![The brain](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/83725249-4d20-4c88-a1b0-3957d44bed55_rw_1920.jpg?h=42d12bfcfc218a2713329c97371b14f2)
The brain
![ADH from the pituitary gland travels in the blood](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/d6dd0d47-9485-4d91-849f-c7bc6443fa30_rw_1920.jpg?h=99aeb56d33cfa368fd945d04426c93af)
ADH from the pituitary gland travels in the blood
![Hypothalamus - controls the pituitary gland](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/b4a3ce0b-33e6-42d5-8c26-6befde2e9586_rw_1920.jpg?h=acaf7c71256b0aaa7112accf20c2eafb)
Hypothalamus - controls the pituitary gland
![The hypothalamus measure how much water is in the blood](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/60db6e8c-35dd-4ff7-94d7-29e131e3be11_rw_1920.jpg?h=c0efc22b68f9eb3439d0aca615d30624)
The hypothalamus measure how much water is in the blood
![Example of negative feedback](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/9b24b45e-cbe4-4ff6-ae44-d70e111aad9c_rw_1920.jpg?h=4f77be02e357eefc6454c6665c1e924f)
Example of negative feedback
![Sometimes kidneys don't work as they should - kidney disease. If they stop working it is called kidney failure](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/63448330-320e-435d-b611-a8aa1ff0934d_rw_1920.jpg?h=0c2deb568992d52a72ae8b87cc02d111)
Sometimes kidneys don't work as they should - kidney disease. If they stop working it is called kidney failure
![Testing urine can check if the kidneys are working properly](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/76b21c92-f4aa-4302-81ac-3ee2396c6a53_rw_1920.jpg?h=27ab78549ce433297ecba6837342cf1f)
Testing urine can check if the kidneys are working properly
![Urine should only contain waste products](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/1f3e5bfc-8a05-4aa2-9592-d880bbbd34bb_rw_1920.jpg?h=db65d5071135943b3e5b2f2debc4d5bd)
Urine should only contain waste products
![Proteins and cells are too big to move into the nephrons - proteins in urine is a bad sign](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/affda942-1b55-4733-9f7f-12d12599a1c2_rw_1920.jpg?h=a804f5bc8be2eee552e2c772124462c3)
Proteins and cells are too big to move into the nephrons - proteins in urine is a bad sign
![The body wants to retain useful things](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/9ddae6b4-a3e9-48cb-9bdd-6a8704750727_rw_1920.jpg?h=4073e8c04065674c338e5a523ee90869)
The body wants to retain useful things
![Too much glucose can signify diabetes](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/621a4821-7c8e-4b92-91c9-759bd485897d_rw_1920.jpg?h=410acaf2e7cd7777eea5a9d0217a2455)
Too much glucose can signify diabetes
![Diabetics can't control the amount of glucose in their blood](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/7da8bad5-5331-4601-b9b4-7a2124382431_rw_1920.jpg?h=0aa5df02527efbe3883e9853471bbfdc)
Diabetics can't control the amount of glucose in their blood
![Too much glucose for the body to reabsorb can end up in urine](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/f536e0db-2d04-4230-94e4-224dd544cad8_rw_1920.jpg?h=9d2371667d82382117ee4c073fd6dc9c)
Too much glucose for the body to reabsorb can end up in urine
![If one kidney stops working the other one has to work harder](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/7e300b76-3c42-461d-ab71-d2648cf215df_rw_1920.jpg?h=dae70e85c43ae80c9437ba913d082e94)
If one kidney stops working the other one has to work harder
![If both stop working the person will die if not treated](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/d941d361-85f0-489e-87e8-82491a11024b_rw_1920.jpg?h=6f917bfdc38ef3c158c48c028462397c)
If both stop working the person will die if not treated
![Dialysis machines - artificial kidneys](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/276bbc48-0118-4337-9524-7da4da9e1307_rw_1920.jpg?h=0840f059c630e4b0ab5c29794f1d5d4a)
Dialysis machines - artificial kidneys
![Patients are connected via arteries](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/22113f63-a78d-4ad2-b671-2bf82f941037_rw_1920.jpg?h=c1b165366eeb420e43bf47f2dcd904ba)
Patients are connected via arteries
![All blood passes through the machine for up to 12 hours](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/990cfd01-dc34-4e29-a279-8e582ae8e81c_rw_1920.jpg?h=904ac0a90a70d624fdc2f8a98ea23319)
All blood passes through the machine for up to 12 hours
![Semi-permeable membrane inside the machine only lets small particles move out of blood](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/9c69c0da-4af2-4520-9d6d-045f62ef78d3_rw_1920.jpg?h=925a5b5f0197bfc4c65e1bf7c8e33e7a)
Semi-permeable membrane inside the machine only lets small particles move out of blood
![Blood passes through and waste removed](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/2eb1d43d-453a-48fc-93ee-aa7bbd7b48ff_rw_1920.jpg?h=0ba9df2d5ea72b3de4e9a93221c2b261)
Blood passes through and waste removed
![A solution provides the correct amounts of sugars and salts to move back into the blood via diffusion](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/8c5dd13f-a04e-4cfe-9d9c-6cda786ee0c4_rw_1920.jpg?h=eade1272be28804bd541827618f8f2f9)
A solution provides the correct amounts of sugars and salts to move back into the blood via diffusion
![The machine keeps the blood at the correct temperature](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/8cabd5df-18b6-4c80-a0cc-7854b05e5835_rw_1920.jpg?h=3e4c813e841ebcc2bbd4a2ed761c5392)
The machine keeps the blood at the correct temperature
![Dialysis keeps people alive](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/ca2c753d-083b-4d03-b293-b50712b88776_rw_1920.jpg?h=fbbf4df59048c428ce01fbf980d8e668)
Dialysis keeps people alive
![Dialysis cannot replicate all the complex functions of the kidneys](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/3e6bb7af-c17e-4e26-9054-63a0e9190fba_rw_1920.jpg?h=7b4171a255fcfd628a7e5838fbbc7638)
Dialysis cannot replicate all the complex functions of the kidneys
![Dialysis is a short term solution only](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/1efeea05-de9a-408c-815a-3586749a95d1_rw_1920.jpg?h=7dd9f9df0e1d7abbde1de00adf2d5fa7)
Dialysis is a short term solution only
![Patients must be careful of their diet](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/dfd0821e-a394-424a-a24f-925b14d07c94_rw_1920.jpg?h=1ea0c1331b60f7087d0f07dc49885dd7)
Patients must be careful of their diet
![They need high protein foods and to avoid salt](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/734f7266-e7dd-4c36-8fe2-297d2000ea2d_rw_1920.jpg?h=1a36a8ec931db9a3281452ae40f4f7bd)
They need high protein foods and to avoid salt
![Dialysis is expensive meaning that there is a waiting list](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/c6e6430c-8ff7-49db-8aab-6d25c1946f9e_rw_1920.jpg?h=09b3a584aaedde601df81bb5cae10f71)
Dialysis is expensive meaning that there is a waiting list
![The long term treatment is kidney transplant](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/36cfe512-1542-4c30-8a2a-26af4d8912bb_rw_1920.jpg?h=35655edeebe1aa29fc3e5afdd715d213)
The long term treatment is kidney transplant
![A close relative can donate a kidney](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/43f6ad8d-6867-4703-a270-cbbdb27abef2_rw_1920.jpg?h=5fc3b78285a503f76e39554a8fd13972)
A close relative can donate a kidney
![The closer the relative the less chance of the body rejecting it](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/43613cc6-2f41-4d14-929d-2241069595d4_rw_1920.jpg?h=79ddaa8b9dd3903e502607e9ececb9fb)
The closer the relative the less chance of the body rejecting it
![Kidney transplant is major surgery](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/779a2a47-428d-4db4-bc6e-d9ec79f5211c_rw_1920.jpg?h=180da416ecd3ce44227f282838e6c7fd)
Kidney transplant is major surgery
![There is risk for both the patient and the donor](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9adced59b32b38f53877e96a333d7b70/7cb1447a-4abe-4ace-bad5-fd402ce993f7_rw_1920.jpg?h=af5fd7bd13d89b4974e8431294374c2c)