hair cell

noun

, Biology.

1. an epithelial cell having hairlike processes, as that of the organ of Corti.

hair cell

1. A cell found in the organs of balance in the inner ear of mammals that senses the body's position with respect to gravity. Hair cells are found in both the semicircular canals and the vestibule.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hair cell¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Unlike eye surgery, which is common, operations aren’t often performed on the pliable bones and hair cell receptors of the middle ear, the source of natural hearing.

From Salon

"Tiny hair cells inside the inner ear pick up sound waves to help you hear. When these get damaged or die, hearing loss is irreversible."

From Science Daily

When each virus enters a hair cell and delivers its cargo, the fragments join.

From Science Magazine

It’s caused by mutations in a gene responsible for an inner ear protein called otoferlin, which helps hair cells transmit sound to the brain.

From Seattle Times

The mutated otoferlin gene destroys a protein in the inner ear’s hair cells necessary to transmit sound to the brain.

From New York Times