NEPHRIDIUM Meaning and
Definition
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A nephridium is a specialized excretory organ found in many invertebrates, particularly annelids and certain mollusks. It serves as the main organ for excretion and osmoregulation in these organisms. Nephridia are organized as a pair of tubular structures, one on each side of the body, and vary in complexity among different species.
The structure of a nephridium typically consists of three main parts: the nephrostome, nephric tubule, and nephridiopore. The nephrostome is a funnel-shaped opening that filters waste materials and excess fluids from the coelomic fluid, which is a fluid-filled cavity in the body of the invertebrate. This fluid contains metabolic waste products and other substances that need to be eliminated from the body. The filtered fluid then enters the nephric tubule, where further purification and reabsorption of essential substances take place. Finally, the purified liquid is released through the nephridiopore into the external environment.
Nephridia play a crucial role in maintaining proper water balance and removing waste substances from an invertebrate's body. They regulate the concentration of electrolytes and control osmotic balance, ensuring that the internal environment remains stable and suitable for vital physiological processes. The complexity and function of nephridia can vary depending on the specific needs and adaptations of the organism. Overall, nephridia are vital for excretion and maintaining homeostasis in various invertebrate species.
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One of the segments in the embryo developing into the excretory portion of the kidney and a portion of the ovary or testis.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for NEPHRIDIUM
- nephilium
- nephridia
- bephridium
- mephridium
- jephridium
- hephridium
- nwphridium
- nsphridium
- ndphridium
- nrphridium
- n4phridium
- n3phridium
- neohridium
- nelhridium
- ne-hridium
- ne0hridium
- nepgridium
- nepbridium
- nepnridium
- nepjridium
- nepuridium
- nephridiun
- Neffridium
- Nephridiums
Etymology of NEPHRIDIUM
The word "nephridium" comes from the Greek term "nephros", meaning kidney or the organ that filters urine, and the suffix "-idium", which denotes a small structure or organ. Therefore, "nephridium" literally translates to "a small structure related to the kidney". This term is commonly used in biology to describe excretory organs in invertebrates and is analogous to the kidneys in vertebrates.
Similar spelling words for NEPHRIDIUM
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