page_title: Collecting duct system
section_title: Intercalated cells
hierarchical_section_title: Collecting duct system / Structure / Cells / Intercalated cells
context_page_description: The collecting duct system of the kidney consists of a series of tubules and ducts that physically connect nephrons to a minor calyx or directly to the renal pelvis. The collecting duct system is the last part of nephron and participates in electrolyte and fluid balance through reabsorption and excretion, processes regulated by the hormones aldosterone and vasopressin.
  There are several components of the collecting duct system, including the connecting tubules, cortical collecting ducts, and medullary collecting ducts.
context_section_description: Intercalated cells come in α, β, and non-α non-β varieties and participate in acid-base homeostasis.
  For their contribution to acid-base homeostasis, the intercalated cells play important roles in the kidney's response to acidosis and alkalosis. Damage to the α-intercalated cell's ability to secrete acid can result in distal renal tubular acidosis (RTA type I, classical RTA)(reference). The intercalated cell population is also extensively modified in response to chronic lithium treatment, including the addition of a largely uncharacterized cell type which expressed markers for both intercalated and principal cells.
caption: Image depicting an α intercalated cell