stereocilium

American  

[ster-ee-uh-sil-ee-uhm, steer-] / ˌstɛr i əˈsɪl i əm, ˌstɪər- /

noun

Anatomy.

• stereocilia
  plural

1. any of the long, flexible microvilli that superficially resemble cilia and occur as a brush border or series of tufts on the surface of various epithelial tissues.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• stereocilia
  plural

Etymology

Origin of stereocilium

From New Latin; see origin at stereo-, cilium

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

stereocilia

The longer stereocilia that project from the outer hair cells actually attach to the tectorial membrane.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

Once in the cochlea, the energy causes the basilar membrane to flex, thereby bending the stereocilia on receptor hair cells.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

The semicircular canals work similarly, such that when the head is turned, the fluid in the canals bends stereocilia on hair cells.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

The bending of the stereocilia stimulates the neurons, and they signal to the brain that the head is tilted, allowing the maintenance of balance.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

When the pressure waves from the scala move the basilar membrane, the tectorial membrane slides across the stereocilia.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013