Renal papilla
| Renal papilla | |||
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| Frontal section through the kidney. | |||
| Latin | Papilla Renalis | ||
The renal papilla is the location where the medullary pyramids empty urine into the minor calyx in the kidney. Histologically it is marked by medullary collecting ducts converging to form a duct of Bellini to channel the fluid. Transitional epithelium begins to be seen.
Role in disease
Some chemicals toxic to the kidney, called nephrotoxins, exert their damage at the renal papillae. Damage to the renal papillae may result in death to cells in this region of the kidney, called renal papillary necrosis. The most common toxic causes of renal papillary necrosis are NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, acetylsalicylic acid, and phenylbutazone, in combination with dehydration.
References
This article incorporates text from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy.
External links
- SUNY Labs 40:06-0107 - "Posterior Abdominal Wall: Internal Structure of a Kidney"
- BU Histology Learning System: 15901loa - "Urinary System: neonatal kidney"
- posteriorabdomen at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (renalpelvis)
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