The combining form Pyel/o denotes which anatomical structure?

• A. Renal pelvis
• B. Kidney
• C. Ureter
• D. Bladder

Answer: (A)

The combining form pyel/o refers to the renal pelvis, the funnel-shaped region inside the kidney that collects urine before it moves into the ureter. The kidney drains urine from the nephrons into calyces, then into the renal pelvis, which sits near the hilum and funnels urine into the ureter. Terms built with pyel/o (like pyelogram, pyelonephritis, pyeloplasty) all relate to this part of the kidney. In contrast, kidney tissue is described with nephr/o or ren/o, the ureter with ureter/o, and the bladder with cyst/o, which is why pyel/o specifically points to the renal pelvis.