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inner ear
noun
: the essential organ of hearing and equilibrium that is located in the temporal bone, is innervated by the auditory nerve, and includes the vestibule, the semicircular canals, and the cochlea
Examples of inner ear in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There is no test or scan for tinnitus, and scientists cannot easily study it because the inner ear is tiny, delicate and encased in bone, said Dr. Konstantina Stankovic, an otolaryngologist at Stanford University.
—Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times, 3 May 2024
In the middle ear, the spot inside the eardrum that turns vibrations in the air into ripples in the inner ear’s fluids has three bones.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 4 Apr. 2024
Vertigo can be caused by various underlying conditions, primarily within the inner ear, but problems with the central nervous system can also contribute to the feeling.
—Benjamin Plackett, Discover Magazine, 7 Mar. 2024
Otoliths are formed in a fish’s inner ear with calcium carbonate layers as the fish grows.
—The Arizona Republic, 19 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inner ear
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inner ear.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1855, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near inner ear
Cite this Entry
“Inner ear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inner%20ear. Accessed 17 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
inner ear
noun
: the part of the ear that is most important for hearing, is located in a cavity in the temporal bone, and contains the ends of the nerves which send nerve impulses concerned with hearing and balance to the brain
Medical Definition
inner ear
noun
: the essential part of the vertebrate organ of hearing and equilibrium that typically is located in the temporal bone, is innervated by the auditory nerve, and includes the vestibule, the semicircular canals, and the cochlea
called also internal ear
More from Merriam-Webster on inner ear
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about inner ear
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