nephron

noun

neph·ron | \ ˈne-ˌfrän

Definition of nephron

: one of the functional units of the kidney that filters the blood, selectively reabsorbs substances (such as glucose, ions, and amino acids), and excretes nitrogenous waste (such as urea) and excess water and salts in the form of urine

Note: A nephron is made up of a glomerulus, Bowman's capsule, proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, distal convoluted tubule, collecting tubule, and collecting duct.

Each kidney contains 1.5 million filters for blood, called nephrons, which carry away waste products.— Michelle Morgan Bolton

Examples of nephron in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Each nephron servies as a filtering unit for blood running through blood vessels. — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 17 May 2021 The filtered waste and extra fluid from the blood then goes into the nephron and then eventually down through the ureters as urine. — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 17 May 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nephron.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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“Nephron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nephron. Accessed 9 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for nephron

nephron

noun

neph·ron | \ ˈnef-ˌrän

Medical Definition of nephron

: one of the functional units of the kidney that filters the blood, selectively reabsorbs substances (as glucose, ions, and amino acids), and excretes nitrogenous waste (as urea) and excess water and salts in the form of urine

Note: A nephron is made up of a glomerulus, Bowman's capsule, proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, distal convoluted tubule, collecting tubule, and collecting duct.

Each kidney contains 1.5 million filters for blood, called nephrons, which carry away waste products.— Michelle Morgan Bolton … net urinary excretion of potassium relies on secretion in the distal nephron, a process that is augmented by aldosterone.— Eugene P. Rhee et al.