A projecting ridge or fin on the bottom of the hull of a boat or ship that improves directional control and is often weighted for added stability. 2. The principal structural member of an aircraft, resembling a ship's keel in shape and function.
The outer, reddish region, next to the capsule, is the renal cortex. This surrounds a darker reddish-brown region called the renal medulla. The renal medulla consists of a series of renal pyramids, which appear striated because they contain straight tubular structures and blood vessels.
How to Treat Shrinking Kidneys. Shrinking kidneys indicate that the kidneys are reducing in size which usually accompanies gradual deterioration of the kidneys. Normally, the size of a healthy individualâs kidney is 8 -11cm in length, 5.5-7cm in width, and 4-5cm in thickness. Diminishing size of the kidneys is caused by scarring or sclerosis of glomerular and tubular cells.