nephridium

noun

ne·​phrid·​i·​um ni-ˈfri-dē-əm 

plural nephridia ni-ˈfri-dē-ə 

: a tubular glandular excretory organ characteristic of various invertebrates

nephridial

ni-ˈfri-dē-əl 

adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

nephridium

noun

ne·​phrid·​i·​um ni-ˈfrid-ē-əm 

plural nephridia -ē-ə 

: an excretory organ that is characteristic of various coelomate invertebrates (as annelid worms, mollusks, brachiopods, and some arthropods), occurs paired in each body segment or as a single pair serving the whole body, typically consists of a tube opening at one end into the coelom and discharging at the other end on the exterior of the body, is often lengthened and convoluted, and has glandular walls

nephridial

-ē-əl 

adjective