Final answer:
The kidney parenchyma consists of the outer renal cortex and the inner renal medulla, with the cortex containing nephrons for blood filtration and the medulla consisting of renal pyramids that aid in urine transport.
Step-by-step explanation:
The kidney parenchyma is composed of two regions: an outer renal cortex and an inner renal medulla. The renal cortex is the granular outer part of the kidney that contains all of the nephrons, which are the functional units of the kidney responsible for filtering blood and forming urine. Some nephrons have loops of Henle that extend into the renal medulla, which is the inner region made up of pyramid-shaped tissue masses called renal pyramids. These pyramids and the spaces called renal columns, which contain blood vessels and connective tissues, constitute the lobes of the kidney.
The urine formed by the nephrons is collected by the renal papillae at the tips of the pyramids and is then transported to the minor calyces. These merge to form major calyces that eventually lead to the renal pelvis and ureters, directing the urine to the urinary bladder for excretion.