met·a·neph·ros (m t  -nf r s)n. 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. [meta- + Greek nephros, kidney.] |
metanephros [ˌmɛtəˈnɛfrɒs]
n pl -roi [-rɔɪ]
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) the last-formed posterior part of the embryonic kidney in reptiles, birds, and mammals, which remains functional in the adult See also pronephros, mesonephros
[New Latin, from meta- + Greek nephros kidney]
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