metanephros

noun

meta·​neph·​ros ˌme-tə-ˈne-frəs 

-ˌfräs

plural metanephroi ˌme-tə-ˈne-ˌfrȯi 

: either member of the final and most caudal pair of the three successive pairs of vertebrate renal organs that functions as a permanent adult kidney in reptiles, birds, and mammals but is not present at all in lower forms compare mesonephros, pronephros

metanephric

ˌme-tə-ˈne-frik 

adjective

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

metanephros

noun

meta·​neph·​ros -ˈnef-rəs, -ˌräs 

plural metanephroi -ˌrȯi 

: either member of the final and most caudal pair of the three successive pairs of vertebrate renal organs that functions as a permanent adult kidney in reptiles, birds, and mammals but is not present at all in lower forms compare mesonephros, pronephros