statolith

[ stat-l-ith ]

/ ˈstæt l ɪθ /

noun

Zoology. any of the granules of lime, sand, etc., contained within a statocyst.

Botany. an inclusion, as a starch grain, that by a change in position within the cells of an organ or part is assumed to cause a corresponding change in position of the organ or part.

Nearby words

statoconium, statocyst, statohm, statokinetic reflex, statolatry, statolith, stator, statoscope, statotonic reflexes, stats, statto

Origin of statolith

1895–1900; stato- (see statoblast) + -lith

Related formsstat·o·lith·ic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for statolith

statolith

/ (ˈstætəʊlɪθ) /

noun

Also called: otolith any of the granules of calcium carbonate occurring in a statocyst: movement of statoliths, caused by a change in position of the animal, stimulates hair cells, which convey the information to the brain by nerve fibres

any of various movable inclusions, such as starch grains, that occur in plant cells and are thought to function in geotropic responses

Derived Formsstatolithic, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for statolith

statolith

[ stăt′l-ĭth′ ]

n.

A small, movable concretion of calcium carbonate found in statocysts; an otolith.

statoconium