pronephros

noun

pro·​neph·​ros (ˌ)prō-ˈne-frəs How to pronounce pronephros (audio)
-ˌfräs
: either member of the first and most cranial pair of the three successive paired vertebrate renal organs that functions in the adults of amphioxus and some lampreys, functions temporarily in larval fishes and amphibians, and is present but nonfunctional in embryos of reptiles, birds, and mammals compare mesonephros, metanephros
pronephric adjective

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pronephros was in 1877

Dictionary Entries Near pronephros

Cite this Entry

“Pronephros.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pronephros. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

pronephros

noun
pro·​neph·​ros (ˈ)prō-ˈnef-rəs, -ˌräs How to pronounce pronephros (audio)
plural pronephroi -ˌrȯi How to pronounce pronephros (audio)
: either member of the first and most cranial pair of the three paired vertebrate renal organs that functions in the adults of amphioxus and some lampreys, functions temporarily in larval fishes and amphibians, and is present but nonfunctional in embryos of reptiles, birds, and mammals compare mesonephros, metanephros

More from Merriam-Webster on pronephros

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!