neuromast

[noor-uh-mast, nyoor-]

noun

1. a group of innervated sensory cells occurring along the lateral line of fishes and aquatic amphibians.

Other Word Forms

• neuromastic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of neuromast¹

1910–15; neuro- + -mast < Greek mastós hillock, literally, breast

Example Sentences

When water passes over the neuromast, it pushes hairlike cells that are surrounded by a gel called cupula.

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