What is the term for the structure that funnels urine into the bladder?

The correct term for the structure that funnels urine into the bladder is the renal pelvis. The renal pelvis is a funnel-shaped structure located in the kidney that collects urine from the collecting ducts. It acts as a reservoir for urine before it passes into the ureters, which are the tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

Understanding the function of the renal pelvis is essential in anatomy and physiology, particularly regarding how the urinary system operates. The nephron, while crucial for filtering blood and producing urine, is not directly involved in the collection and funneling process. The urethra is responsible for transporting urine from the bladder to the outside of the body, and the kidney is the organ that produces urine, but neither of these structures funnel urine into the bladder. Thus, recognizing the specific role of the renal pelvis is key in differentiating between the components of the urinary system.