Where are the kidneys in the body?

The kidney is located at the waist of the human body, on both sides of the spine, one on each side. The upper end of the left kidney is level with the lower edge of the 11th thoracic vertebral body, and the lower end of the left kidney is level with the second lumbar intervertebral disc. The upper end of the right kidney is level with the upper edge of the 12th thoracic vertebral body, and the lower end of the right kidney is level with the third lumbar vertebral body. Therefore, the left kidney is slightly higher than the right kidney. The angle between the 12th rib and the spine is called the renal area. When the kidney is diseased, it will show pain.