Minor Calyx

Definition

The minor calyx is a small, funnel-shaped structure within the kidney that collects urine from the renal pyramids. It is a key component of the kidney's gross anatomy, playing a vital role in the urine collection and transport system.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The minor calyces are the smallest and most numerous of the kidney's calyces, with each kidney typically containing 8-18 minor calyces.
2. The minor calyces collect urine from the tips of the renal pyramids, known as the papillae, and transport it to the major calyces.
3. The minor calyces are lined with transitional epithelium, which is able to stretch and accommodate changes in urine volume.
4. Anatomical variations in the number and arrangement of minor calyces can occur, which may be relevant for clinical procedures involving the kidney.
5. Dysfunction or obstruction of the minor calyces can lead to conditions such as hydronephrosis, where urine accumulates and causes kidney damage.

Review Questions

• Describe the role of the minor calyces in the kidney's urine collection and transport system.
  • The minor calyces play a crucial role in the kidney's urine collection and transport system. They are small, funnel-shaped structures that collect urine from the tips of the renal pyramids, known as the papillae. The minor calyces then transport the urine to the larger major calyces, which in turn drain into the renal pelvis and the ureter, allowing for the removal of waste and excess water from the body.
• Explain how the anatomical features of the minor calyces contribute to their function.
  • The minor calyces are lined with a specialized transitional epithelium, which allows them to stretch and accommodate changes in urine volume. This flexibility is important, as the minor calyces need to be able to expand and contract to efficiently collect and transport the varying amounts of urine produced by the kidney. Additionally, the funnel-like shape of the minor calyces helps to direct the flow of urine from the renal pyramids to the larger major calyces, facilitating the overall urine collection and transport process.
• Discuss the clinical significance of variations in the number and arrangement of minor calyces, and how this may impact medical procedures involving the kidney.
  • Anatomical variations in the number and arrangement of minor calyces can occur, and these variations may be relevant for clinical procedures involving the kidney. For example, the presence of an unusually high or low number of minor calyces, or an atypical arrangement, could complicate procedures such as kidney stone removal, renal biopsies, or surgical interventions. Healthcare providers must be aware of these potential anatomical variations to ensure the safe and effective execution of such procedures, as well as to properly interpret diagnostic imaging of the kidney.

Related terms

Renal Pyramid: The renal pyramid is a cone-shaped structure within the kidney that contains the nephrons, the functional units responsible for filtering blood and producing urine.

Renal Cortex: The renal cortex is the outer layer of the kidney, containing the glomeruli and proximal and distal convoluted tubules of the nephrons.

Renal Medulla: The renal medulla is the inner layer of the kidney, containing the renal pyramids and the collecting ducts that transport urine to the minor calyces.