renal pelvis

noun

anatomy

: a funnel-shaped structure in each kidney that receives urine from the collecting duct for passage into the ureter and that is formed at one end by the expanded upper portion of the ureter and at the other end by the union of two or more calyxes (see calyx sense 2) of the kidney

Examples of renal pelvis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Kidney and renal pelvis cancer and leukemia remained relatively stable among women. —Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025

The intermittent pain, called renal colic, is caused by spasms as the walls of the renal pelvis are stretched.5 The pain may be dull, like a back strain, or intense, like a kidney punch. —Jay N. Yepuri, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2024

This retention of fluid, in turn, increases pressure within the renal pelvis, which can dislodge a stone.20 Studies have shown that, among men, emergency room visits for kidney stones are higher in the summer and lower in the winter. —Jay N. Yepuri, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2024

There were increases in rates of kidney and renal pelvis cancer and liver cancer. —Tegan Hanlon, Anchorage Daily News, 18 Jan. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1757, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

renal pelvis

noun

: a funnel-shaped structure in each kidney that is formed at one end by the expanded upper portion of the ureter lying in the renal sinus and at the other end by the union of the calyxes of the kidney