The kidneys are located in the upper abdominal cavity on either side of the spine, in a retroperitoneal position (behind the peritoneum). They lie at about the vertebral levels from T12 to L3, with the right kidney typically positioned slightly lower than the left due to the liver. The kidneys sit just below the rib cage and behind the belly, near the middle of the back. The upper parts of the kidneys are partially protected by the 11th and 12th ribs, and each kidney has an adrenal gland located on top of it. They are bean- shaped organs responsible for filtering blood and producing urine, and each kidney is surrounded by layers of fat that provide protection.