What Is a Renal Papilla

The renal papillae are the areas where the openings of the collecting ducts enter the kidney and where urine flows into the ureters.

What is the main function of the renal papilla?

Papilla. The renal papilla is the location where the renal pyramids in the medulla empty urine into the minor calyx in the kidney. Histologically it is marked by medullary collecting ducts converging to form a papillary duct to channel the fluid.

What collects in a renal papilla?

A minor calyx surrounds the renal papillae of each pyramid and collects urine from that pyramid. Several minor calyces converge to form a major calyx. From the major calyces, the urine flows into the renal pelvis; and from there, it flows into the ureter.