In kidney anatomy, the tips (apices) of the renal pyramids that project into the minor calyces are called renal what?

• A. Renal hilum
• B. Renal papillae
• C. Renal columns
• D. Renal cortex

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the structure of the kidney, which includes the renal cortex (outer layer), renal medulla (inner region), and the renal pyramids located within the medulla.
2. Recognize that the renal pyramids have pointed tips that project into the minor calyces, which are small chambers that collect urine.
3. Identify the specific term for these tips or apices of the renal pyramids that extend into the minor calyces.
4. Recall that these tips are called renal papillae, which serve as the site where urine flows from the collecting ducts into the minor calyces.
5. Differentiate renal papillae from other kidney structures such as the renal hilum (entry/exit site for vessels and ureter), renal columns (cortical tissue between pyramids), and renal cortex (outer kidney layer).