Kidney & Urinary Tract

In Western medicine, the kidneys and urinary system, comprising the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra, serve as a critical detoxification and waste elimination pathway, processing approximately 200 liters of fluid daily to expel toxins as urine (Morton et al., 2016, "Anatomy & Physiology," OpenStax). In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the kidneys have a more multifaceted role, storing the essence of Jing and governing processes like birth, growth, and development. According to TCM theories, the kidneys are also responsible for producing marrow, controlling bones, and regulating the reception of Qi (Wang et al., 2017, "Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine"). They are further believed to manifest in hair and are influenced by emotional states like fear. This dual understanding of the kidneys underscores the complex interplay between Western and traditional medicine, each offering unique perspectives on renal function.