Final answer:
a) True
Interlobar arteries lie alongside the renal pyramids, and this statement is true. They are crucial in providing blood to the renal lobes and the nephrons, which are vital for kidney function.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that interlobar arteries lie alongside the pyramids is true. The interlobar arteries branch from the renal artery and travel between the renal pyramids to supply blood to the renal lobes, which consist of a renal pyramid, its overlying renal cortex, and adjacent renal columns. Each interlobar artery extends outward to form an arcuate artery, which branches over the base of the renal pyramids. It is essential for the delivery of blood to the kidneys' functional units, the nephrons, which include the renal corpuscle (the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule), as well as the renal tubules.
The renal pelvis is a region within the kidney where the calyces join, which then drains into the ureter, transporting urine from the kidney to the bladder. The kidneys are enclosed by renal fascia, a layer of connective tissue that provides support and protection.