cochlea

American  

[kok-lee-uh, koh-klee-uh] / ˈkɒk li ə, ˈkoʊ kli ə /

noun

Anatomy.

cochleae, plural cochleas plural

1. a spiral-shaped cavity forming a division of the internal ear in humans and in most other mammals.

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cochlea British  

/ ˈkɒklɪə /

noun

1. the spiral tube, shaped like a snail's shell, that forms part of the internal ear, converting sound vibrations into nerve impulses

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cochlea Scientific  

/ kŏk′lē-ə /

cochleae plural

1. A spiral-shaped cavity of the inner ear and the main organ of hearing. The cochlea contains the nerve endings that transmit sound vibrations from the middle ear to the auditory nerve.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• cochlear
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• cochleae
  plural
• cochleas
  plural

Etymology

Origin of cochlea

1530–40; < Latin < Greek kochlíās snail (with spiral shell), screw, probably akin to kónchē conch

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cochlea cochleae cochleas

Under general anesthesia, a surgeon makes a small opening in the cochlea and uses a thin tube to slowly infuse the liquid therapy directly into the inner ear for about 16 minutes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 23, 2026

Researchers also found that the cochlea itself is relatively short and compact, which helps it process ultrasonic vibrations.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 12, 2026

It’s the type IV collagen in the basement membrane of my cochlea, or inner ear, that is abnormal and contributes to sensorineural hearing loss.

From Salon ● Sep. 30, 2024

The gene codes for a protein called connexin 26 that helps various cell types in the cochlea communicate by releasing potassium.

From Science Magazine ● Jan. 26, 2024

As we might expect, the auditory cortex helps us discern different sounds processed by the cochlea.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

There is destruction also of the papilla basilaris cochleae, with encroachment of the surrounding tissues in varying degrees.

From The Dancing Mouse A Study in Animal Behavior by Yerkes, Robert M.

The tech itself is real—in 2023, the audio company Icebach unveiled a set of pearl jewelry called the “Nova H1 Audio Earrings” that were outfitted with the ability to transmit audio into the wearer’s cochleas.

From Slate ● Sep. 11, 2024