pronephros

[ proh-nef-ros, -ruh s ]
/ proʊˈnɛf rɒs, -rəs /

noun, plural pro·neph·roi [proh-nef-roi] /proʊˈnɛf rɔɪ/, pro·neph·ra [proh-nef-ruh] /proʊˈnɛf rə/. Embryology.

one of the three embryonic excretory organs of vertebrates, which becomes the functional kidney of certain primitive fishes.

Origin of pronephros

1875–80; < New Latin < Greek pro- pro-2 + nephrós kidney

OTHER WORDS FROM pronephros

pro·neph·ric [proh-nef-rik] /proʊˈnɛf rɪk/, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for pronephros

British Dictionary definitions for pronephros

pronephros
/ (prəʊˈnɛfrɒs) /

noun plural -roi (-rɔɪ) or -ra (-rə)

the first-formed anterior part of the embryonic kidney in vertebrates, which remains functional in the larvae of the lower vertebrates See also mesonephros, metanephros

Derived forms of pronephros

pronephric, adjective

Word Origin for pronephros

C19: New Latin, from pro- ² + Greek nephros kidney

Medical definitions for pronephros

pronephros
[ prō-nĕfrəs, -rŏs′ ]

n. pl. pro•neph•roi (-roi)

A kidneylike organ, being either part of the most anterior pair of three pairs of organs in a vertebrate embryo, usually disappearing early in embryonic development.