What are metanephrons?

Answer 1

Metanephrons are the functional units of the adult mammalian kidney, developing from the metanephric mesenchyme during embryogenesis. They arise from the intermediate mesoderm and consist of a nephron, which includes structures such as the glomerulus and tubules, and the collecting ducts. Metanephrons play a crucial role in filtering blood, regulating water and electrolyte balance, and producing urine. They represent the final stage in kidney development, succeeding the pronephros and mesonephros stages found in earlier embryonic development.