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Concept

Distal convoluted tubule

A cross-section of a distal convoluted tubule, showing its coiled structure with a central red vascular network extending from it.

A short segment of the nephron, the kidney's filtering unit, lying between the loop of Henle and the collecting duct. Its cells carry the proton pumps and bicarbonate transporters that fine-tune acid-base balance over hours and days, and the sodium channels targeted by thiazide diuretics. The segment is small but does the slow, deliberate work of keeping blood chemistry within its narrow living range.

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