Distal Convoluted Tubule (DCT)

The distal tubule becomes convoluted and eventually empties into a collecting tubule. The cells of the distal convoluted tubule are cuboidal. In contrast to cells of the PCT, cells of the DCT are smaller, have less cytoplasm and hence appear more basophilic, and they have no brush border (B-67, H&E [2.5x, 10x, 20x, 40x]; B-68, PAS [10x, 20x, 40x]; B-69, PAS [10x, 20x, 40x-labeled]; B-71, H&E [10x, 20x, 40x]). Also, DCTs are smaller than proximal tubules (see R-P, Fig. 20.18 & Pl. 72). Look for DCTs in slides B-67 through B-71. Since the DCTs lack a brush border, they will be more readily distinguished from PCTs in sections stained with PAS.

Distal Convoluted Tubule Identifications

---

--- Back to UrinarySystem4

---

Comments

Begin Topic

-- AshleyLPistorio - 23 May 2007