PATHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The distal convoluted tubule (DCT) is a portion of kidney nephron between the loop of Henle and the collecting duct system. The collecting tubule is the most proximal part of the collecting duct system. It is adjacent to the distal convoluted tubule, the most distal segment of the renal tubule.

Detailed explanation-2: -The distal convoluted tubule is the nephron segment that lies immediately downstream of the macula densa. Although short in length, the distal convoluted tubule plays a critical role in sodium, potassium, and divalent cation homeostasis.

Detailed explanation-3: -Collecting Duct. A distal convoluted tubule connects to the collecting duct system that fine-tunes salt and water reabsorption and plays a major role in acid–base balance. The initial segment of the collecting duct, the cortical collecting duct, takes off from the distal convoluted tubule in the cortex.