Renal calyces (right kidney)
Calices renales majores et minores
UrinaryOrgansAbdomenRight side
- What it is
- Minor calyces are cups that clasp each renal papilla; two or three of them join into each of two or three major calyces, which unite to form the renal pelvis.
- Function
- Collect urine dripping from the papillary ducts and start the peristaltic waves that drive it toward the ureter.
- Size
- 7–14 minor calyces (8 shown) and 2–3 major calyces per kidney.
- Clinical note
- A "staghorn" calculus is a branched stone that fills the pelvis and calyces like a cast.