otolith
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English
[edit]Alternative forms
[edit]Etymology
[edit]From oto- + -lith, from Ancient Greek ὠτο- (ōto-), stem of οὖς (oûs, “ear”), and λίθος (líthos, “stone”).
Noun
[edit]otolith (plural otoliths)
- (zoology) A small particle, comprised mainly of calcium carbonate, found in the inner ear of vertebrates, being part of the balance sense.
- Synonyms: otoconium, otosteon, statoconium, statolith
Usage notes
[edit]Do not confuse otoliths (small stones in the inner ear as part of the vestibular sense) with ossicles (small bones in the middle ear as part of the auditory sense).
Hyponyms
[edit]Derived terms
[edit]Translations
[edit]small particle in the inner ear
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