Final answer:
The renal medulla is the region of the kidney containing cone-shaped pyramids known as renal pyramids. These structures play a critical role in urine formation and consist of collecting ducts and loops of Henle. The renal columns separate these pyramids and the renal papillae at their tips drain urine into the renal pelvis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The region of the kidney characterized by the presence of cone-shaped pyramids is known as the renal medulla. These structures are called renal pyramids and typically number between six to eight in each kidney. These pyramids contain the collecting ducts and the loops of Henle of juxtamedullary nephrons, which are crucial for concentrating urine and maintaining water and salt balance in the body. The tips of these pyramids, called renal papillae, point inward toward the renal pelvis, which is the area where urine collected from the renal pyramids and papillae drains into the ureter.
The renal columns are extensions of the renal cortex that project into the medulla and separate individual renal pyramids. They contain blood vessels and connective tissues, providing support and structure within the kidney. Collectively, the renal pyramids and adjoining regions, including the renal columns, constitute what is referred to as the lobes of the kidney.