countercurrent mechanism
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count·er·cur·rent mech·a·nism
a system in the renal medulla that facilitates concentration of the urine as it passes through the renal tubules. See: countercurrent exchanger, countercurrent multiplier.
count·er·cur·rent mech·a·nism
(kownt'ĕr-kŭr'ĕnt mek'ă-nizm)A system in the renal medulla that facilitates concentration of the urine as it passes through the renal tubules.
countercurrent mechanism
A mechanism used by the kidneys, making it possible to excrete excess solutes in the urine with little loss of water from the body.
See also: mechanism