modiolus

[ moh-dahy-uh-luhs, muh- ]

noun

, Anatomy.

, plural mo·di·o·li [moh-, dahy, -, uh, -lahy, m, uh, -].

1. the central, conical axis of the cochlea of the ear.

modiolus

/ məʊˈdaɪəʊləs; mə- /

noun

1. the central bony pillar of the cochlea

Other Words From

• mo·dio·lar adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of modiolus¹

1685–95; < New Latin, Latin: nave of a wheel bucket, drinking vessel, equivalent to modi ( us ) a dry measure (perhaps derivative of modus mode ¹ ) + -olus -ole ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of modiolus¹

C19: New Latin, from Latin: hub of a wheel, from modus a measure

Example Sentences

Name from modiolus, the broad and depressed fruit resembling in shape the Roman measure of that name.

From Project Gutenberg

At the extremity of the modiolus, the two passages communicate with each other.

From Project Gutenberg

The Latin term for the trephine, modiolus, has the same meaning.

From Project Gutenberg

Modiolus, mo-dī′o-lus, n. the central stem round which wind the passages of the cochlea of the internal ear.

From Project Gutenberg