The opisthonephros is the functional adult kidney in lampreys (cyclostomes), most fishes, and amphibians.[1] It is formed from the extended mesonephros along with tubules from the posterior nephric ridge.[2] The functional embryonic kidney in anamniotes is the pronephros.
Kerr coined the term ‘opisthonephros’ in 1919.[3] In 1949, Hyman wrote the opisthonephros “has used up the mesomere tissue from which in amniotes both mesonephros and metanephros come.”[3] Some accounts call opisthonephros the ‘mesonephros’, but the opisthonephros in anamniotes (lampreys, fish, and amphibians) differ considerably than the mesonephros in amniotes (reptiles, birds, and mammals).[1] Thus, the term mesonephros is usually reserved for the embryonic kidney of amniotes.[1]
The mesonephros and metanephros of amniotes are derived from different parts of the anamniote opisthonephros.[1] The metanephros is derived from the posterior part of the opisthonephros.[1] In amniotes, most of the former opisthonephros became the epididymis, and the archinephric duct became the vas deferens.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e Juneja, Kavita (January 2002). Animal Physiology (1st ed.). Anmol Publications. ISBN 81-261-1166-6.
- ^ Kardong, Kenneth; Edward Zalisko (October 2008). Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy: A Laboratory Dissection Guide (5th ed.). McGraw-Hill Science/Engineering/Math. ISBN 978-0-07-297008-1.
- ^ a b Ooi EC; Youson JH (1977). "Morphogenesis and growth of the definitive opisthonephros during metamorphosis of anadromous sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus L.". J. Embryol. Exp. Morphol. 42: 219–235.
- ^ Jurd, Richard (March 2004). BIOS Instant Notes in Animal Biology (2nd ed.). Taylor & Francis. ISBN 1-85996-325-0.
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