inner ear

noun

1. internal ear.

inner ear

noun

1. another name for internal ear labyrinth

inner ear

/ ĭn′ər /

1. The innermost part of the ear in many vertebrate animals, consisting of the cochlea, the semicircular canals, and the vestibule. Sound vibrations are transmitted from the cochlea of the inner ear to the brain by the auditory nerve. The semicircular canals and the vestibule are the body's organs of balance.
2. See more at ear

inner ear

1. The part of the ear , located deep within the skull, where sound vibrations are converted to electrical signals and sent to the brain via the auditory nerve to produce the sensation of hearing. Organs related to balance are also located in the inner ear.

Word History and Origins

Origin of inner ear¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

“It’s something about irregular collagen in three parts of the body: your kidneys, inner ear, and eyes,” Michael said.

From Salon

Motion sickness is caused by a discrepancy between what the inner ear detects and what the eye sees.

From Salon

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.

From New York Times

Deep within the inner ear lie the cochlea, responsible for sound detection, and the vestibular apparatus, which oversees balance.

From Science Daily

"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