countercurrent mechanism


count·er·cur·rent mech·a·nism

a system in the renal medulla that facilitates concentration of the urine as it passes through the renal tubules. See: countercurrent exchanger, countercurrent multiplier.

count·er·cur·rent mech·a·nism

(kownt'ĕr-kŭr'ĕnt mek'ă-nizm) A system in the renal medulla that facilitates concentration of the urine as it passes through the renal tubules.

countercurrent mechanism

A mechanism used by the kidneys, making it possible to excrete excess solutes in the urine with little loss of water from the body.See also: mechanism