statocyst

American  

[stat-uh-sist] / ˈstæt əˌsɪst /

noun

Zoology.

1. (in certain invertebrates) a sense organ consisting of a sac enclosing sensory hairs and particles of sand, lime, etc., that functions in maintaining equilibrium, serving to indicate position in space.

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statocyst British  

/ ˈstætəʊsɪst /

noun

1. an organ of balance in some invertebrates, such as crustaceans, that consists of a sensory vesicle containing small granules See statolith

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Etymology

Origin of statocyst

1900–05; stato- ( statoblast ) + -cyst

Example Sentences

But when its gravity-detecting statocyst is removed, it becomes virtually helpless.

From Time Magazine Archive

It is equipped with a statocyst, an efficient apparatus just below the brain that acts like the gravity perceiver of the human inner ear, telling the octopus which direction is up.

From Time Magazine Archive

Apparently its system of telling an object's orientation is to keep its two eyes level, which it does with the help of the statocyst.

From Time Magazine Archive