Terminal recess

The terminal recess of the kidney refers to a blind-ended extension of the renal pelvis that projects toward each renal pole (cranial and caudal). These recesses are particularly well-developed in species like the horses.

They serve to:

• Collect urine from the renal papillae or medullary pyramids.

• Facilitate the drainage of urine into the main renal pelvis before it enters the ureter.

In contrast to animals with multilobar kidneys (e.g., bovine), where calyces are distinct and multiple, species with unilobar kidneys (e.g., carnivores, equines) tend to have terminal recesses as part of their urine collection system.