In renal anatomy, the structural and functional unit of the kidney is a(n):

• A. Renal pyramid
• B. Collecting duct
• C. Nephron
• D. Renal corpuscle

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the question is asking for the structural and functional unit of the kidney, which means the smallest part that performs the kidney's essential functions.
2. Recall that the kidney is composed of several structures including renal pyramids, collecting ducts, renal corpuscles, and nephrons.
3. Define each option: a renal pyramid is a cone-shaped tissue mass in the medulla; a collecting duct collects urine from nephrons; a renal corpuscle is part of the nephron involved in filtration; and the nephron is the entire unit responsible for filtering blood and forming urine.
4. Recognize that the nephron includes the renal corpuscle and the renal tubule, and it carries out all the processes of filtration, reabsorption, and secretion.
5. Conclude that since the nephron performs both the structural and functional roles in the kidney, it is the correct answer.