Preferred Label : mesonephros;
Uberon definition : The second stage of the kidney. It serves as the main excretory organ of aquatic vertebrates
and as a temporary embryonic kidney in higher vertebrates. It is composed of the mesonephric
duct (also called the Wolffian duct), mesonephric tubules, and associated capillary
tufts. A single tubule and its associated capillary tuft is called a mesonephric excretory
unit; these units are similar in structure and function to nephrons of the adult kidney.
The mesonephros is derived from intermediate mesoderm in the vertebrate embryo.;
Uberon synonym : mesonephric kidney; mesonephroi; Wolffian body;
Uberon related term : amphibian adult kidney; opisthonephros; corpus Wolffi; opistonephros; middle kidney; opisto nephros;
Uberon Function note : By contrast to the pronephros, the histological features of the mammalian mesonephros,
with its primitive glomeruli, suggest that it probably functions as a primitive kidney,
and is involved in the production of much of the amniotic fluid. Within the two mesonephroi,
one located on either side of the dorsal mesentery of the hindgut, a substantial number
(in the region of about 40 or more) of cranio-caudally segmented mesonephric tubules
are formed. It has, however, been suggested that only the most rostrally located 4-6
pairs of mesonephric tubules drain into the mesonephric portion of the nephric duct.
This is now seen to extend along the length of the mesonephroi, being located towards
their lateral sides. The mesonephros is also retained over a considerably longer period
than the pronephros, but gradually undergoes regression in a cranio-caudal direction.
While the rostral part displays clear evidence of regression its more caudal part
appears to display evidence of functional activity. Within the medial part of the
mesonephros, vesicles are formed, although no glomeruli are formed there in this species.
It is, however, difficult to believe that the relatively enormous mesonephroi do not
have an excretory role in the mouse, only serving as a base for gonadal differentiation.
In the human embryo, the medial part of the mesonephric tubules enlarges, become invaginated
by capillaries, and form glomeruli. These then take on an excretory role. In the mouse,
the mesonephric ducts appear to be patent throughout their length[GUDMAP, modified];
Uberon Homology note : As the pronephros regresses, the archinephric duct induces the sequential differentiation
of tubules in the more caudal parts of the nephric ridge. (...) Tubules that differentiate
in the middle part of the nephric ridge form a kidney called the mesonephros. This
kidney functions in the embryos and larvae of all vertebrates. (...) In all vertebrate
embryos, the kidney begins with the differentiation of a few renal tubules from the
anterior end of the nephric ridge overlying the pericardial cavity. (...) This early-developing
embryonic kidney is called the pronephros.[well established][VHOG];
Uberon Taxon note : In mammals, the mesonephros is the second of the three embryonic kidneys to be established
and exists only transiently. In fish and amphibians, the mesonephros will form the
mature kidney;
Origin ID : 0000080;
UMLS CUI : C0025492;
Automatic exact mappings (from CISMeF team)
- Semantic type(s)
- UMLS correspondences (same concept)
- Uberon cross reference
- develops from
- develops into
- has part
The second stage of the kidney. It serves as the main excretory organ of aquatic vertebrates
and as a temporary embryonic kidney in higher vertebrates. It is composed of the mesonephric
duct (also called the Wolffian duct), mesonephric tubules, and associated capillary
tufts. A single tubule and its associated capillary tuft is called a mesonephric excretory
unit; these units are similar in structure and function to nephrons of the adult kidney.
The mesonephros is derived from intermediate mesoderm in the vertebrate embryo.
