mesonephros

noun

me·​so·​neph·​ros ˌme-zə-ˈne-frəs How to pronounce mesonephros (audio)
ˌmē-,
-sə-,
-ˌfräs
plural mesonephroi ˌme-zə-ˈne-ˌfrȯi How to pronounce mesonephros (audio)
ˌmē-,
-sə-
: either member of the second and midmost of the three paired vertebrate renal organs that functions in adult fishes and amphibians but functions only in the embryo of reptiles, birds, and mammals in which it is replaced by a metanephros in the adult compare metanephros, pronephros
mesonephric
ˌme-zə-ˈne-frik How to pronounce mesonephros (audio)
ˌmē-
-sə-
adjective

Examples of mesonephros in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Serrano, meanwhile, looked at cells in an organ that exists only in embryos: a temporary kidney, called the mesonephros, that forms near the heart. — Amber Dance, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Dec. 2022 Once the final kidneys develop, the mesonephros disappears. — Amber Dance, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Dec. 2022

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mesonephros was in 1877

Browse Nearby Words

mesonephridium
mesonephros
mesonotal
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mesonephros.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mesonephros. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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Medical Definition

mesonephros

noun
me·​so·​neph·​ros ˌmez-ə-ˈnef-rəs How to pronounce mesonephros (audio) ˌmēz- How to pronounce mesonephros (audio)
ˌmēs-,
ˌmes-,
-ˌräs
plural mesonephroi -ˌrȯi How to pronounce mesonephros (audio)
: either member of the second and midmost of the three paired vertebrate renal organs that functions in adult fishes and amphibians but functions only in the embryo of reptiles, birds, and mammals in which it is replaced by a metanephros in the adult

called also Wolffian body

compare pronephros

More from Merriam-Webster on mesonephros

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mesonephros

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