mesonephros

me·so·neph·ros

noun
\ˌme-zə-ˈne-frəs, ˌmē-, -sə-, -ˌfräs\

plural me·so·neph·roi\-ˌfrȯi\

Definition of MESONEPHROS

: either member of the second and midmost of the three paired vertebrate renal organs that functions in adult fishes and amphibians but functions only in the embryo of reptiles, birds, and mammals in which it is replaced by a metanephros in the adult — compare metanephros, pronephros

— me·so·neph·ric \-frik\ adjective

Origin of MESONEPHROS

New Latin, from mes- + Greek nephros kidney — more at nephritis

First Known Use: 1887