Distal convoluted tubule
Kidney nephron (labeled as "2nd convoluted tubule", near top)
Section of cortex of human kidney.
Latin	tubulus contortus distalis
Gray's	subject #253 1223
Precursor	Metanephric blastema
MeSH	Distal+Kidney+Tubule

The distal convoluted tubule (DCT) is a portion of kidney nephron between the loop of Henle and the collecting duct system.

Contents 1 Physiology 2 Clinical significance 3 Histology 4 Additional images 5 References 6 External links

[edit] Physiology

It is partly responsible for the regulation of potassium, sodium, calcium, and pH.

• It regulates pH by absorbing bicarbonate and secreting protons (H⁺) into the filtrate, or by absorbing protons and secreting bicarbonate into the filtrate.

• Sodium and potassium levels are controlled by secreting K⁺ and absorbing Na⁺. Sodium absorption by the distal tubule is mediated by the hormone aldosterone. Aldosterone increases sodium reabsorption. Sodium and chloride (salt) reabsorption is also mediated by a group of kinases called WNK kinases. There are 4 different WNK kinases, WNK1, WNK2, WNK3, and WNK4.

• It also participates in calcium regulation by reabsorbing Ca²⁺ in response to parathyroid hormone.

^[1]

• Arginine vasopressin receptor 2 is also expressed in the DCT.

[edit] Clinical significance

Thiazide diuretics inhibit Na⁺/Cl^- reabsorption from the DCT by blocking the thiazide-sensitive Na-Cl cotransporter.

[edit] Histology

The DCT is the final segment of the nephron. It is lined with simple cuboidal cells that are shorter than those of the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT). The lumen appears larger in DCT than the PCT lumen because the PCT has a brush border (microvilli). DCT can be recognized by its numerous mitochondria, basal infoldings and lateral membrane interdigitations with neighboring cells.

The point where DCT contacts afferent arteriole of renal corpuscle is called macula densa. It has tightly packed columnar cells which display reversed polarity and may monitor the osmolarity of blood.

Histologically, cells of the DCT can be differentiated from cells of the proximal convoluted tubule:

Characteristic	PCT	DCT
Apical brush border	Usually present	Not present
Eosinophilicity	More	Less
Cytoplasm	More	Less
Visible nuclei	Less likely	More likely

[edit] Additional images

1 Glomerulus, 2 proximal tubule, 3 distal tubule

Transverse section of pyramidal substance of kidney of pig, the bloodvessels of which are injected.

Renal corpuscle

[edit] References

1. ^ MedEd at Loyola mech/cases/case24/kidney.htm

[edit] External links

• Organology at UC Davis Urinary/mammal/cortex1/cortex7 - "Mammal, kidney cortex (LM, Medium)"
• Histology at OU 35_19
• Physiology at MCG 7/7ch03/7ch03p18
• Physiology at MCG 7/7ch07/7ch07p14
• Histology at BU 16004loa
• Histology at BU 16007loa

v • d • e Anatomy: urinary system (TA A08, GA 11.1215) Abdomen Kidneys Layers Renal fascia • Renal capsule • Renal cortex  (Renal column) • Renal medulla (Renal sinus, Renal pyramids, medullary interstitium) • Renal lobe • Cortical lobule • Medullary ray • Nephron Afferent circulation Renal artery → Segmental arteries → Interlobar arteries → Arcuate arteries → Interlobular arteries → Afferent arterioles → Renal corpuscle (Glomerulus, Bowman's capsule) Renal tubule Proximal tubule → Loop of Henle (Descending, Thin ascending, Thick ascending) → Distal convoluted tubule → Connecting tubule → Collecting ducts aka Duct of Belini → Renal papilla → Minor calyx → Major calyx → Renal pelvis Efferent circulation Glomerulus → Efferent arterioles → Peritubular capillaries / Vasa recta → Arcuate vein → Interlobar veins → Renal vein Juxtaglomerular apparatus Macula densa • Juxtaglomerular cells • Mesangium/Extraglomerular mesangial cell Filtration Glomerular basement membrane • Podocyte • Filtration slits • Mesangium/Intraglomerular mesangial cell • Tubular fluid Ureters Orifice of ureter Pelvis Bladder Uvula • Trigone • Detrusor • Apex • Neck Urethra Urethral sphincters (External sphincter muscle of male urethra, External sphincter muscle of female urethra, Internal sphincter muscle of urethra) urinary system navs: anat/physio/dev, noncongen/acid+base/congen/neoplasia, symptoms+signs/eponymous, proc

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