Renal calyx
| Renal calyx | |
|---|---|
Kidney, with major and minor calyces labeled near bottom. | |
An image showing just the pelvis and calices of the kidneys, with the rest of the kidney removed, from a dissected cow and seal specimen. These vary greatly in size and number depending on species. | |
| Details | |
| Precursor | Ureteric bud |
| System | Urinary system |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | calices renales |
| MeSH | D007670 |
| FMA | 284558 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
The renal calyces (sg. calyx) are conduits in the kidney through which urine passes. The minor calyces form a cup-shaped drain around the apex of the renal pyramids. Urine formed in the kidney passes through a renal papilla at the apex into the minor calyx; four or five minor calyces converge to form a major calyx through which urine passes into the renal pelvis (which in turn drains urine out of the kidney through the ureter).