saccule
Americannoun
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Anatomy. the smaller of two sacs in the membranous labyrinth of the internal ear.
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a little sac.
noun
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a small sac
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the smaller of the two parts of the membranous labyrinth of the internal ear Compare utricle
Etymology
Origin of saccule
1830–40; < Latin sacculus sacculus
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The utricle and saccule respond to acceleration in a straight line, such as gravity.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
The utricle and saccule measure head orientation: their calcium carbonate crystals shift when the head is tilted, thereby activating hair cells.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
In those individuals, Balaban says, further tests implicated damage to the ear's otolith organs, the utricle and the saccule, key to sensing gravity.
From Science Magazine ● Jun. 20, 2018
Balaban and his colleagues venture that a directed energy source could have damaged the exquisitely sensitive utricle and saccule.
From Science Magazine ● Jun. 20, 2018
On the posterior wall of both the saccule and of the utricle there is a ridge, termed in each case the macula acustica, bearing a highly specialized epithelium.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 7 "Equation" to "Ethics" by Various
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