View source for Renal calyx

{{Short description|Anatomical structure in the kidneys}}
{{more|Calyx (anatomy)}}
{{Infobox anatomy
| Name = Renal calyx
| Latin = calices renales
| Image  = Blausen_0592_KidneyAnatomy_01.png
| Caption  = Kidney, with major and minor calyces labeled near bottom.
| Image2      = Renal pelves and calices.png
| Caption2    = 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.{{uncited|date=August 2018}}
| Precursor = [[Ureteric bud]]
| System = [[Urinary system]]
}}

The '''renal [[Calyx (anatomy)|calyces]]''' ({{singular}} calyx) are conduits in the [[kidney]] through which urine passes. The '''minor calyces''' form a cup-shaped drain around the apex of the [[renal pyramid]]s. 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]]).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Martini |first=Frederic |title=Human Anatomy |last2=Tallitsch |first2=Robert B. |last3=Nath |first3=Judi L. |publisher=Pearson |year=2017 |isbn=9780134320762 |edition=9th |pages=689}}</ref>

==Function==
[[Peristalsis]] of the smooth muscle originating in pace-maker cells originating in the walls of the calyces propels urine through the [[renal pelvis]] and [[ureter]]s to the [[urinary bladder|bladder]]. The initiation is caused by the increase in volume that stretches the walls of the calyces. This causes them to fire impulses which stimulate rhythmical contraction and relaxation, called peristalsis. Parasympathetic innervation enhances the peristalsis while sympathetic innervation inhibits it.

==Clinical significance==
[[File:Staghorn Kidney Stone Progression.png|thumbnail|Example of a "staghorn" [[kidney stone]] projecting into the renal calyces]]

A "[[staghorn calculus]]" is a [[kidney stone]] that may extend into the renal calyces.

A '''renal diverticulum''' is diverticulum of [[renal calyces]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Krzeski|first=T|author2=Witeska, A |author3=Borówka, A |author4= Pypno, W |title=Diverticula of renal calyces|journal=International Urology and Nephrology|date=September 1981|volume=13|issue=3|pages=231–235|doi=10.1007/BF02082420|pmid=6799417|s2cid=275191}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Chong|first=TW|author2=Bui, MH |author3=Fuchs, GJ |title=Calyceal diverticula. Ureteroscopic management.|journal=The Urologic Clinics of North America|date=Nov 2000|volume=27|issue=4|pages=647–54|pmid=11098763|url=http://www.urologic.theclinics.com/article/S0094-0143(05)70114-2/abstract|doi=10.1016/s0094-0143(05)70114-2|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Renal medulla]]
* [[Renal pyramids]]
* [[Calyx (anatomy)]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|40|06|01|08}} - "Posterior Abdominal Wall: Internal Structure of a Kidney"
* {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|40|06|01|09}} - "Posterior Abdominal Wall: Internal Structure of a Kidney"
* {{BUHistology|15901loa}} - "Urinary System: neonatal kidney"
* {{NormanAnatomy|posteriorabdomen}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|renalpelvis}})
* [http://www.bway.net/~rjnoonan/humans_in_space/kidney.gif Diagram at bway.net]

{{kidney}}

[[Category:Kidney anatomy]]