Morcellation devices in surgery. Laparoscopic morcellation is commonly used at surgery to remove bulky specimens from the abdomen using minimally invasive techniques. Historically, morcellation was performed using a device that required the surgeon or assistant to manually 'squeeze' the handle.
Endocrine functions of the kidneys. The kidneys produce three important hormones: erythropoietin, calcitriol (1,25- dihydroxycholecalciferol) and renin. They also synthesize prostaglandins, which affect many processes in the kidneys.
Points to Remember. 1  Every day, the two kidneys filter about 120 to 150 quarts of blood to produce about 1 to 2 quarts of urine, composed of wastes and extra fluid. 2  The kidneys are important because they keep the composition, or makeup, of the blood stable, which lets the body function. Each kidney is made up of about a million filtering units called nephrons. The nephron includes a filter, called the glomerulus, and a tubule. The nephrons work through a two-step process.