otolith

[ oht-l-ith ]

noun

1. Anatomy, Zoology. a calcareous concretion in the internal ear of vertebrates.
2. statolith ( def 1 ).

otolith

/ ˈəʊtəʊˌlɪθ /

noun

1. any of the granules of calcium carbonate in the inner ear of vertebrates. Movement of otoliths, caused by a change in position of the animal, stimulates sensory hair cells, which convey the information to the brain
2. another name for statolith

Derived Forms

• ˌotoˈlithic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of otolith¹

First recorded in 1825–35; oto- + -lith

Example Sentences

The Leydigian or nuchal organ is supposed to be auditory and to contain an otolith.

From Project Gutenberg

Otolith: a little ear-bone: granules or concretions found in an otocyst.

From Project Gutenberg

There are tentacles and otolith vesicles as very delicate organs of feeling, or possibly of hearing also.

From Project Gutenberg

The otolith apparatus of the cat can render it no service in free descent.

From Project Gutenberg

The dorsal half of the otolith is pigmented: the ventral half is without pigment.

From Project Gutenberg