• Question: how is it possible to get 2 kiddneys on the same side

    Asked by zazzle1647 to Matt on 17 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: Matt Bilton

      Matt Bilton answered on 17 Nov 2014:

      This is what’s known as an ectopic kidney! This means a kidney which is not in its usual position. When a baby is developing in the mother’s womb, the kidneys slowly move to their usual positions, but if one of the kidneys doesn’t go where it’s supposed to then an ectopic kidney will be the result. This could be caused by a few things including genes, or due to the mother being sick, or the mother coming into contact with certain chemicals that cause birth problems. Ectopic kidneys occur in about 1 out of every 900 people!

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