columella
noun
col·u·mel·la
ˌkäl-yə-ˈme-lə
plural columellae
ˌkäl-yə-ˈme-(ˌ)lē
-ˌlī
1
: the central column or axis of a spiral univalve shell
2
a
: the bony or partly cartilaginous rod connecting the tympanic membrane with the internal ear in birds and in many reptiles and amphibians
b
: the bony central axis of the cochlea
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share