metanephros

metanephros definition - medical

met·a·neph·ros (mĕtˌə-nĕfˈrəs, -rŏsˌ)

noun pl. met·a·neph·roi (-roiˌ)
The third and final excretory organ that develops in a vertebrate embryo. In birds, reptiles, and mammals it replaces the mesonephros as the functional excretory organ and develops into the adult kidney.

Related Forms:

  • metˌa·nephˈric (-rĭk) adjective

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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