ˈneˌfrän noun
also neph·rone -rōn
( -s )
Etymology: German nephron, from Greek nephros kidney — more at nephritis
: a single excretory unit ; especially : such a unit in the vertebrate kidney typically consisting of a Malpighian corpuscle, proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, distal convoluted tubule, collecting tubule, and vascular and supporting tissues and discharging by way of a renal papilla into the renal pelvis