Histology
The DCT 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 |
| Readily discernible nuclei | Less likely | More likely |
Read more about this topic: Distal Convoluted Tubule
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