HOW MANY STAGES ARE THERE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE KIDNEY

• A. 1
• B. 3 ✓
• C. 5
• D. 7
• E. 9

The development of the kidney involves several stages as it forms and matures within the embryo.

1. Pronephros: The first stage in kidney development is the pronephros, which is a temporary structure that appears early in embryonic life. It consists of a few tubules and ducts but does not play a significant role in kidney function.

2. Mesonephros: The mesonephros is the second stage of kidney development. It is more complex than the pronephros and functions as an interim kidney during embryonic development. The mesonephros helps in waste excretion and fluid balance in the developing embryo.

3. Metanephros: The metanephros is the final and most crucial stage of kidney development. It is the permanent kidney that forms from the ureteric bud and metanephric mesenchyme. The metanephros develops into the functional adult kidney, including nephrons, collecting ducts, and renal pelvis.

During these three stages of kidney development, intricate processes such as nephrogenesis occur, where nephrons are formed, leading to the establishment of a fully functional kidney system.