Definition of Term

ear

(English) Inner ear, (in fish, the auditory organ lying in the otic capsule, consisting of the semicircular canals, ampullae, utriculus, sacculus, lagena, sinus endolymphaticus and ductus endolymphaticus. Filled with and surrounded by perilymph (or seawater in forms with and endolymphatic duct), containing ototliths (sagitta, astericus and lapillus in teleostomes). Functions as a gravity receptor, acceleration detector and muscle tone regulator. Innervated by cranial nerve VIII). (See also: otic capsule, semicircular ear canal, ampullae)

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