Renal pelvis

Renal pelvis
Frontal section through kidney.
1. Renal pyramid 2. Efferent arteriole 3. Renal artery 4. Renal vein 5. Renal hilum 6. Renal pelvis 7. Ureter 8. Minor calyx 9. Renal capsule 10. Inferior renal capsule 11. Superior renal capsule 12. Afferent arteriole 13. Nephron 14. Minor calyx 15. Major calyx 16. Renal papilla 17. Renal column
Latin	p. renallis
Gray's	subject #253 1221
Precursor	Ureteric bud
MeSH	Kidney+pelvis

The renal pelvis or pyelum is the funnel-like dilated proximal part of the ureter in the kidney.

In humans, the renal pelvis is the point of convergence of two or three major calyces. Each renal papilla is surrounded by a branch of the renal pelvis called a calyx.

The major function of the renal pelvis is to act as a funnel for urine flowing to the ureter.

The renal pelvis is the location of several kinds of kidney cancer.

Its mucous membrane is covered with transitional epithelium, and an underlying lamina propria of loose to dense connective tissue.

Additional images

• 

  Primitive kidney and bladder, from a reconstruction.

• 

  Vertical section of kidney.

See also

• Staghorn calculus
• Renal sinus
• Hydronephrosis

External links

• SUNY Figs 40:03-07 - "Section of the kidney, anterior view."
• SUNY Anatomy Image 8962
• Organology at UC Davis Urinary/mammal/pelvis0/pelvis1 - "Mammal, renal pelvis (Gross, Medium)"
• Organology at UC Davis Urinary/mammal/pelvis1/pelvis1 - "Mammal, renal pelvis (LM, Medium)"