hair cell

American  

noun

Biology.

1. an epithelial cell having hairlike processes, as that of the organ of Corti.

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hair cell Scientific  

1. A cell found in the organs of balance in the inner ear of mammals that senses the body's position with respect to gravity. Hair cells are found in both the semicircular canals and the vestibule.

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Etymology

Origin of hair cell

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hair cell

"Sometimes people think they hear fine, but there are signs of change inside the ear, such as hair cell damage or hearing loss at the highest frequencies," Price said.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 10, 2026

Unlike eye surgery, which is common, operations aren’t often performed on the pliable bones and hair cell receptors of the middle ear, the source of natural hearing.

From Salon ● Sep. 30, 2024

Stimulating hair cell regrowth probably is more complex than thought, Lustig says.

From Science Magazine ● Jan. 26, 2024

The gene therapy consists of a harmless virus carrying new otoferlin genes in two drops of liquid that are delicately injected down the length of the cochlea, delivering the genes to each hair cell.

From New York Times ● Jan. 23, 2024

The inner hair cells are located at the termination of the "inner hair cell nerves" and the outer hair cells are located at the termination of the "outer hair cell nerves."

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015