What is the name of the pipe-like structure in the kidney that collects urine?

The collecting duct is a critical structure in the kidney that plays a central role in the final stages of urine formation. It is a pipe-like tube that receives urine from multiple nephrons, specifically from the distal convoluted tubules of the nephrons. Once in the collecting duct, the urine is further concentrated and modified as it travels down to the renal pelvis, from where it will eventually flow into the ureter and into the bladder for excretion.

The primary function of the collecting duct involves the regulation of water and electrolyte balance in the body. The walls of the collecting duct are permeable to water, and the amount of water reabsorbed can vary depending on the body's hydration status and the influence of hormones such as antidiuretic hormone (ADH). This capability allows the kidney to produce urine that can be more concentrated or diluted depending on the needs of the body.

The nephron, although integral to the kidney's function, refers to the entire functional unit that includes the renal corpuscle and renal tubules, rather than just a pipe-like structure. The glomerulus is a network of capillaries within the nephron where filtration of blood occurs but does not collect urine. The ureter is the duct that carries urine