Collecting ducts receive fluid from many nephrons and run down through the medulla to open at the renal papillae. They are the final site where the body decides how much water and salt to keep. Antidiuretic hormone inserts water channels into their walls, and aldosterone increases sodium reabsorption and potassium secretion.
| Location | From the cortex through the medullary rays and renal pyramids to the papillary ducts at the renal papillae |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Blood Supply | Peritubular capillaries; Vasa recta |
| Venous drainage |
|
Adjusts the final volume and concentration of urine under antidiuretic hormone and aldosterone, and helps regulate acid-base balance.
Failure of the ducts to respond to antidiuretic hormone (nephrogenic diabetes insipidus) leads to large volumes of dilute urine; lithium is a common cause. Potassium-sparing diuretics like spironolactone and amiloride act here. The ducts also secrete acid, so defects cause distal renal tubular acidosis.
The collecting ducts ignore antidiuretic hormone, causing thirst and passing large volumes of dilute urine.
The collecting ducts cannot secrete acid, leading to acidic blood, low potassium and kidney stones.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
