nephron

[nef-ron] /ˈnɛf rɒn/
noun, Anatomy, Zoology
1.
the filtering and excretory unit of the kidney, consisting of the glomerulus and tubules.
Origin
1930-35; < German; alteration of Greek nephrós kidney
Examples from the web for nephron
  • At the beginning of each nephron, a web of capillaries releases much water and other molecules into the nephron.
  • The crucial structure of the kidneys is the nephron, a microscopic tangle of capillaries and membranes.
British Dictionary definitions for nephron

nephron

/ˈnɛfrɒn/
noun
1.
any of the minute urine-secreting tubules that form the functional unit of the kidneys
Word Origin and History for nephron
n.

1932, from German nephron (1924), from Greek nephros "kidney," from PIE *negwhro- "kidney" (cf. Latin nefrones, Old Norse nyra, Dutch nier, German Niere "kidney").

nephron in Medicine

nephron neph·ron (něf'rŏn)
n.
The functional unit of the kidney, consisting of the renal corpuscle, the proximal and distal convoluted tubules, and the nephronic loop.

nephron in Science
nephron
(něf'rŏn)

The functional unit of the kidney, in which waste products are filtered from the blood and urine is produced. The nephron consists of a system of tubules in close association with a network of blood vessels. As fluid that is filtered through the glomerulus of the nephron enters the tubules, its composition is gradually changed by the absorption and secretion of solutes, and it eventually leaves the nephron as urine. See more at Bowman's capsule, glomerulus, loop of Henle.