Duct of Bellini

The duct of Bellini is an anatomical structure of the kidneys, also known as papillary (collecting) duct.

The straight or collecting tubes commence in the radiate part of the renal cortex, where they receive the curved ends of the distal convoluted tubules.

They unite at short intervals with one another, the resulting tubes presenting a considerable increase in caliber, so that a series of comparatively large tubes passes from the bases of the medullary rays into the renal pyramids.

In the medulla the tubes of each pyramid converge to join a central tube, the duct of Bellini, which finally opens on the summit of one of the renal papillae; the contents of the tube are therefore discharged into one of the renal calyces.

Eponym
So named in honor of its discoverer, Italian anatomist Lorenzo Bellini (1643-1704).