Anatomy and Physiology II Practice Test 2026 - Free Anatomy Practice Questions and Study Guide

The outer part of the kidney is referred to as the renal cortex. This layer plays a crucial role in the kidney's overall function, as it contains a significant portion of the nephrons, which are the functional units responsible for filtering blood and forming urine. The renal cortex has a granular appearance due to the many nephron structures it houses, specifically the glomeruli and the proximal and distal tubules.

In contrast, the renal medulla, which is located deeper within the kidney, consists mainly of the renal pyramids and is involved in the concentration of urine. The renal pelvis serves as a funnel that collects urine from the renal calyces before it moves to the ureter, while calyces are cup-like structures that surround each renal pyramid and channel urine into the renal pelvis. Understanding the distinct roles of these structures helps clarify the specific identity and function of the renal cortex as the outer layer of the kidney.