calices

The surgeon carefully examined the renal calices during the procedure.

Definition

1. Noun (plural form of or ):
   • Anatomical structure: "calices" refers to cup-shaped cavities or chambers in the body, most commonly in the kidney (renal calices), where urine collects before passing into the renal pelvis.
   • Botanical structure: In botany, "calices" is the plural of calyx, meaning the sepals of a flower, collectively forming the outer protective whorl.

Usage Examples

• (Anatomical cup-shaped chambers in the kidney.)
• (Botanical sepals of a flower.)

Advanced Usage

• "Calices renales": a technical term in anatomy for the minor and major calices of the kidney.

  • The minor calices merge to form the major calices, which then empty into the renal pelvis. (Specific anatomical branching structures.)

• "Calices" in paleontology: sometimes used to describe cup-shaped fossil structures.

  • The ancient coral calices were preserved in limestone. (Cup-shaped parts of fossilized corals.)

Variants and Related Words

• Calix (n, singular): a cup-shaped cavity or structure.

  • The calix of the kidney is a small, funnel-like chamber. (Singular form of calices.)

• Calyx (n, singular, botanical): the sepals of a flower collectively.

  • The calyx protects the flower bud before it opens. (Botanical term, often spelled with 'y' instead of 'i'.)

Synonyms

• Cupule: a small cup-shaped structure (used in botany and anatomy).
• Receptacle: a container or cavity that holds something (less specific).

Related Idioms (None common for this technical term)

• No idiomatic expressions are associated with "calices" as it is a specialized anatomical or botanical term.