What is the role of the renal pelvis?

The renal pelvis serves a crucial function in the urinary system by collecting urine produced in the kidneys and funneling it into the ureter, from where it travels to the bladder. The renal pelvis acts as a basin-like structure that collects urine as it is formed in the renal tubules. This anatomical feature ensures the efficient transfer of urine, allowing it to flow smoothly into the ureters and ultimately leading to its storage in the bladder for later excretion.

The other options describe functions that are not attributes of the renal pelvis. For instance, filtration of blood primarily takes place in the nephron, not the renal pelvis itself. Producing urine is a function attributed to the kidney's nephrons, where various processes of filtration, reabsorption, and secretion occur. Lastly, while the urinary bladder is responsible for storing urine until it is excreted, the renal pelvis does not have a storage function; rather, it acts as an interim passage for urine on its way to the bladder. Thus, the role of the renal pelvis is specifically to gather and direct urine flow, confirming its importance in urinary function.