What is the Difference Between Pronephric Mesonephric and Metanephric Kidney?

The development of the kidney proceeds through a series of successive phases, each marked by the development of a more advanced kidney: the archinephros, pronephros, mesonephros, and metanephros. The pronephros is the most immature form of the kidney, while the metanephros is the most developed and persists as the definitive adult kidney.

1. Pronephros: This is the earliest nephric stage in humans and constitutes the mature kidney in most primitive vertebrates. It extends from the 4th to the 14th somites and consists of 6-10 pairs of tubules. The pronephric kidney is a transient embryonic organ that serves as a kidney during the early developmental stages of an embryo.
2. Mesonephros: The mesonephros develops between the 6th and 10th week. It is an embryonic organ that disappears in all mammals when the permanent kidney becomes functional. The mesonephric kidney is functional in adult higher fishes and amphibians but only during embryogenesis in mammals.
3. Metanephros: This is the permanent and functional kidney in higher vertebrates and arises caudal to the mesonephros at five weeks of development. The metanephric kidney is derived from the intermediate mesoderm and is a highly complex organ present in mammals that filters waste products from the blood.

In summary, the pronephric kidney is the simplest and most immature stage, while the mesonephric kidney is an intermediate stage that disappears during development. The metanephric kidney is the most advanced and functional kidney in higher vertebrates, including humans.

Comparative Table: Pronephric Mesonephric vs Metanephric Kidney

The pronephric, mesonephric, and metanephric kidneys are three stages of kidney development in vertebrates. Here is a table summarizing their differences:

All three types of kidneys are associated with the excretory system and are involved in the embryonic developmental stage. They are all derived from the urogenital ridge.