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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