n, pl  -ia   :  an excretory organ that is characteristic of various coelomate invertebrates (as annelid worms, mollusks, brachiopods, and some arthropods), occurs paired in each body segment or as a single pair serving the whole body, typically consists of a tube opening at one end into the coelom and discharging at the other end on the exterior of the body, is often lengthened and convoluted, and has glandular walls ne*phrid*i*al adj 
 
 
 
Similar sounding terms:  neph·ro·tome  ne·phrot·o·my 
 
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