mesonephros: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “mesonephros” mean?
The temporary kidney of embryonic amniotes (reptiles, birds, mammals), which functions during fetal development.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The temporary kidney of embryonic amniotes (reptiles, birds, mammals), which functions during fetal development.
In comparative anatomy, the second of three kidney systems to develop in vertebrate embryos, positioned between the pronephros and metanephros, serving as the functional kidney in adult fish and amphibians.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in spelling, meaning, or usage.
Connotations
Purely technical, identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. Only encountered in specialised medical or biological texts and discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “mesonephros” in a Sentence
The mesonephros + verb (develops, forms, degenerates)During + [stage] + the mesonephros + verbVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mesonephros” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The mesonephric duct is a crucial landmark.
American English
- Mesonephric tissue was examined under the microscope.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in specialised lectures and textbooks on embryology, human development, and vertebrate morphology.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Core term in medical and biological descriptions of fetal development; appears in research papers and anatomical atlases.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mesonephros”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mesonephros”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mesonephros”
- Misspelling as 'mesonephrus' or 'mesonephyrus'.
- Confusing it with the permanent adult kidney (metanephros).
- Using it as a general term for 'kidney'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. In humans, the mesonephros degenerates during fetal development as the permanent kidneys (metanephros) take over.
In embryos of higher vertebrates, it acts as a temporary excretory organ. In adult fish and amphibians, it remains as the functional kidney.
In males, parts of the mesonephric (Wolfian) duct develop into structures like the epididymis and vas deferens. The mesonephros itself mostly degenerates.
It is key to understanding the evolutionary and embryonic stages of kidney development in vertebrates, illustrating the concept of ontogeny recapitulating phylogeny.
The temporary kidney of embryonic amniotes (reptiles, birds, mammals), which functions during fetal development.
Mesonephros is usually technical/scientific in register.
Mesonephros: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɛsəʊˈnɛfrɒs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɛsoʊˈnɛfrəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'MESO' (middle) + 'NEPHROS' (kidney). It's the middle kidney that appears in the middle of embryonic development, between the first and final kidneys.
Conceptual Metaphor
A temporary scaffold or interim office (the mesonephros) is set up during a building's construction (development) before the permanent headquarters (the metanephros) is ready.
Practice
Quiz
What structure succeeds the mesonephros in mammalian embryonic development?