otolith
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From oto- + -lith, from Ancient Greek ὠτο- (ōto-), stem of οὖς (oûs, “ear”), and λίθος (líthos, “stone”).
Noun
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
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
Derived terms
Translations
small particle in the inner ear
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