Major calyx

Renal calyx
Kidney, with major and minor calyces labeled near bottom.
1. Renal pyramid 2. Interlobular artery 3. Renal artery 4. Renal vein 5. Renal hilum 6. Renal pelvis 7. Ureter 8. Minor calyx 9. Renal capsule 10. Inferior renal capsule 11. Superior renal capsule 12. Interlobar vein 13. Nephron 14. Renal sinus 15. Major calyx 16. Renal papilla 17. Renal column
Details
Precursor	Ureteric bud
Identifiers
Latin	calices renales
MeSH	A05.810.453.537.503
Dorlands /Elsevier	c_03/12206023
Anatomical terminology []

The renal calyces are chambers of the kidney through which urine passes. The minor calyces surround the apex of the renal pyramids. Urine formed in the kidney passes through a renal papilla at the apex into the minor calyx; two or three minor calyces converge to form a major calyx, through which urine passes before continuing through the renal pelvis into the ureter.

Peristalsis of the smooth muscle originating in pace-maker cells originating in the walls of the calyces propels urine through the renal pelvis and ureters to the bladder. The initiation is caused by the increase in volume that stretches the walls of the calyces. This causes them to fire impulses which stimulate rhythmical contraction and relaxation (peristalsis). Parasympathetic innervation enhances the peristalsis while sympathetic inhibits.

A "Staghorn calculus" is a kidney stone that may extend into the renal calyces.

A renal diverticulum is diverticulum of renal calyces.