The countercurrent mechanism in the loop of Henle and vasa recta acts to concentrate urine by producing a hyperosmotic renal medullary interstitium of up to 1200 mosm/L. The loop of Henle uses countercurrent exchange to actively transport ions into the interstitium while allowing water to diffuse out, concentrating the interstitium. The vasa recta maintain this gradient by countercurrent exchange of fluid and solutes. In dilute urine production, the kidneys continue reabsorbing solutes while failing to reabsorb water, excreting up to 20 L/day of dilute urine.