What is the maximum difference in size between two kidneys?

What is the maximum difference in size between two kidneys?

• A. 0.5 cm
• B. 2 cm
• C. 1 cm
• D. 3 cm

Answer: (C)

Two kidneys grow to roughly the same size, with only a small natural variation between them. The largest normal difference in their size is about one centimeter. Differences greater than this are considered abnormal and may indicate pathology such as unilateral kidney atrophy or other asymmetric disease processes. The left kidney is often a touch larger than the right due to anatomical spacing, which can contribute to this small, normal discrepancy. Therefore, one centimeter best fits the typical maximum normal difference.

Two kidneys grow to roughly the same size, with only a small natural variation between them. The largest normal difference in their size is about one centimeter. Differences greater than this are considered abnormal and may indicate pathology such as unilateral kidney atrophy or other asymmetric disease processes. The left kidney is often a touch larger than the right due to anatomical spacing, which can contribute to this small, normal discrepancy. Therefore, one centimeter best fits the typical maximum normal difference.