metanephros

metanephros /meta·neph·ros/ (-nef´ros) pl. metaneph´roi   [Gr.] the primordium of the permanent kidney, developing later than and caudad to the mesonephros.

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met·a·neph·ros (mt-nfrs, -rs)

n. pl. met·a·neph·roi (-roi)

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.

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meta·nephric (-rk) adj.

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metanephros

pl. metanephroi [Gr.] the third and final attempt to produce a permanent embryonic kidney, developing later than and caudal to the mesonephros.