the first-formed anterior part of the embryonic kidney in vertebrates, which remains functional in the larvae of the lower vertebrates
See also mesonephros, metanephros
Derived forms
pronephric (proˈnephric)
adjective
Word origin
C19: New Latin, from pro-2 + Greek nephros kidney
pronephros in American English
(proʊˈnɛfrɑs)
noun
Zoology
a primitive kidney, the most anterior of three pairs of renal organs, functional only during embryonic development in most lower vertebrates, and appearing only transiently in the human embryo
Derived forms
pronephric (proˈnephric)
adjective
Word origin
ModL < pro-, pro-1 + Gr nephros, kidney: see nephro-