Nephrology is kidney medicine and is a subspecialty of internal medicine. It is concerned with the diagnoses, treatment and management of kidney functions and renal (kidney) replacement therapy, such as dialysis and kidney transplantation.  

Nephrology concerns the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases, including electrolyte disturbances and hypertension, and the care of those requiring renal replacement therapy, including dialysis and renal transplant patients. The word ‘dialysis’ is from the mid-19th century: via Latin from the Greek word ‘dialysis’; from ‘diolein’ (split, separate), from ‘dia’ (apart) and ‘luein’ (set free). In other words, dialysis replaces the primary (excretory) function of the kidney, which separates (and removes) excess toxins and water from the blood, placing them in the urine.