Yes, a person can have 5 kidneys. This typically occurs through kidney transplantation.
The Possibility of Multiple Kidneys
While most people are born with two kidneys, the number can increase due to medical interventions like kidney transplants. According to Dr. Hundley, it's not uncommon for individuals, particularly those who have received transplants at a young age, to need additional transplants later in life. This can result in a person having more than the typical two kidneys.
How Multiple Kidneys Happen:
- Initial Transplant: A patient receives a transplanted kidney to replace a failed one.
- Second Transplant: The transplanted kidney might fail after some time, requiring another transplant.
- Third Transplant: In rare cases, a patient might need a third kidney transplant.
The reference explicitly states: "They'll literally have five kidneys at once". This happens because the original failed kidneys are usually left in place, with new transplanted kidneys being added. Dr. Hundley also mentions that people are often surprised "you can fit three new kidneys in".
The Function of Extra Kidneys
It is important to understand that even though a person may have five kidneys, only some of them are functional.
- Functional Kidneys: Usually, only the new transplanted kidneys perform the work of filtering blood and producing urine, while the original and any failed transplanted kidneys do not function.
- Non-Functional Kidneys: Even if they are not functional, the old kidneys are often left in place to avoid surgical complications.
Table Summary
| Situation | Number of Kidneys | Functional Kidneys |
|---|---|---|
| Natural | 2 | 2 |
| Single Transplant | 3 | 1 or 2 |
| Double Transplant | 4 | 1 or 2 |
| Triple Transplant | 5 | 1, 2 or 3 |
In summary, it is possible for a person to have five kidneys, primarily as a result of receiving multiple kidney transplants. In these instances, not all five kidneys function; usually, only the most recent transplants are active.
