o·to·lith (  t -l th )n. One of many minute calcareous particles found in the inner ear of vertebrates and in the statocysts of many invertebrates. Also called statolith. o to·lithic adj. |
otolith [ˈəʊtəʊˌlɪθ]
n
1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) any of the granules of calcium carbonate in the inner ear of vertebrates. Movement of otoliths, caused by a change in position of the animal, stimulates sensory hair cells, which convey the information to the brain
2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) another name for statolith [1]
otolithic adj
otolith
a stonelike concretion in the inner ear of some vertebrates, as the whale.
See also: StonesHow to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content.
| ?Page tools | ||
|---|---|---|
|