The minor calyces are small, cup-shaped tubes that fit around the tips of the renal papillae and collect urine as it drips out. Each kidney has about 7 to 13. Several minor calyces join together to form a major calyx.
| Location | Within the renal sinus, each cupped around one or more renal papillae |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Renal plexus |
| Blood Supply | Segmental branches of the renal artery |
| Venous drainage |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Collect urine from the papillae and pass it to the major calyces.
Smooth muscle in the calyx walls pushes urine onward by gentle waves, the very first step of urine transport. On imaging, blunting or 'clubbing' of the normally cup-shaped calyces suggests scarring from reflux, infection or obstruction. Stones often lodge in the lower-pole calyces, where drainage is less favourable.
A kidney stone sitting in a calyx. Small ones may be silent, while larger ones cause pain, infection or bleeding.
A small pouch off a calyx connected by a narrow neck, in which urine stagnates and stones or infection can form.
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