metanephros

(met′ə nefräs′)

noun pl. metanephroi

the excretory organ lying behind the mesonephros in an embryo, which in mammals, reptiles, and birds develops into the permanent, or adult, kidney

Origin: ModL < meta- + Gr nephros, kidney: see nephro-

Related Forms:

See metanephros in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
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.

Origin:

Origin: meta-

Origin: + Greek nephros, kidney

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