otolith
o·to·lith
O0148600 (ō′tə-lĭth′)otolith
(ˈəʊtəʊˌlɪθ)o•to•lith
(ˈoʊt l ɪθ)n.
单词 | otolith |
释义 | otolitho·to·lithO0148600 (ō′tə-lĭth′)otolith(ˈəʊtəʊˌlɪθ)o•to•lith(ˈoʊt l ɪθ)n. otolithOtolithotolith[′ōd·ə‚lith]Otolitha solid formation on the surface of the mechanoreceptor cells in the organs of equilibrium of some invertebrates and all vertebrates. Otoliths of different animals vary in origin, size, and structure: they can be secreted by cells or introduced from outside, for example, grains of sand serve as otoliths in crayfish. Mammalian otoliths are usually crystals of calcite (CaCO3) up to 10 microns (μ.) long and 1–3 μ wide. As otoliths shift in response to acceleration and changes in body position, they mechanically irritate the underlying ciliated receptor cells, which then send appropriate signals to the brain. The action of otoliths has been demonstrated in experiments with crayfish. The grains of sand that serve as the crayfish’s otoliths were replaced during molting by iron filings, and a magnet was placed above the animal to attract the filings. The crayfish reversed its sense of orientation, turned over, and swam with its abdomen up. O. B. IL’INSKII otolithstatolith[stat´o-lith]otolith(ō′tə-lĭth′)otolith(1) An auditory ossicle.(2) A larger calcified concrement within the ear. (3) A minute calcium carbonate granule located near the sensory hair cell in the inner ear; statolith. otolithOne of the many tiny calcareous particles found in the utricle and sacculus of the inner ear. These move under gravitational and accelerative forces causing stimulation of hair cells and the production of nerve impulses that provide the brain with information about the position and movement of the head.otolithorotoconiuma granule of calcareous material, several of which occur in the inner ear of vertebrates, where they are attached to processes associated with sensitive cells, and register gravity By means of such sense organs, vertebrates are able to assess their position with respect to gravity. |
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