Renal Pelvis and Calices

Renal sinus description & syntopy
The renal sinus, which lies inside the hilum of the kidney, contains the renal pelvis and its calices, together with the other structures, nerves, vessels and fat.

Pelvis
The renal pelvis is the flattened, funnel-shaped expansion of the superior end of the ureter and its apex is continuous with the ureter. The pelvis receives 2–3 major calices, each of which sub-divides into 2–3 minor calices. The pelvis can exist as wide ampulla-shaped or tubular (branched). In living persons, the pelvis and its subsequent calices are collapsed (empty).

Calyx
Each minor calyx surrounds a renal papilla (apex of pyramid) and collects the urine.

Related articles

 * Kidney
 * Renal Blood Vessels and Renal Segments
 * Structure of Kidney