Which structure is located at the renal hilum?

The renal hilum is a critical anatomical feature of the kidney through which various structures enter and exit. The renal pelvis is located at the renal hilum and acts as a funnel that channels urine from the kidney to the ureter. It collects urine from multiple renal calyces and is essential for the proper flow of urine away from the kidney.

In the context of the renal hilum, other structures such as the renal cortex, renal artery, and nephrons have distinct roles but do not reside specifically at the hilum. The renal cortex is the outer layer of the kidney, containing nephrons, which are the functional units of the kidney responsible for urine formation. The renal artery, while it does enter the hilum, is primarily responsible for supplying blood to the kidney rather than being a region of urine collection. Nephrons are microscopic structures located throughout the cortex and medulla of the kidney, not at the hilum itself. Hence, the renal pelvis is indeed the structure appropriately identified as situated at the renal hilum, highlighting its role in urinary anatomy and physiology.