nephr

Nephr is a combining form used in medical terminology to denote a relation to the kidney. It derives from the Greek word nephros, meaning kidney. In English, the more common prefix form is nephro-, but nephr- appears in a variety of kidney-related terms and as the root in compound words.

Common uses and examples include nephron, the functional unit of the kidney; nephrotoxic, describing substances harmful to the kidneys; nephrology, the medical specialty focused on kidneys; nephritis, inflammation of the kidney; nephropathy, kidney disease; nephrolithiasis, the condition of kidney stones; nephrectomy, surgical removal of a kidney; and nephrogram, an imaging study of the kidney. Other related terms include nephroblastoma, a type of kidney tumor seen in children, and nephrolith, a kidney stone. The form nephr- often appears as part of larger morphemes when building technical terms, with nephro- being a closely related and frequently used prefix in modern English.

Relation to other terminology: nephr- is specifically kidney-related, whereas renal is a common Latin-derived synonym used in many medical terms. The two forms are often used interchangeably in casual contexts but can differ in emphasis within specialized vocabulary.

See also: nephrology, nephron, nephro- prefix, renal.