statocyst

[ stat-uh-sist ]

noun

, Zoology.

1. (in certain invertebrates) a sense organ consisting of a sac enclosing sensory hairs and particles of sand, lime, etc., that functions in maintaining equilibrium, serving to indicate position in space.

statocyst

/ ˈstætəʊsɪst /

noun

1. an organ of balance in some invertebrates, such as crustaceans, that consists of a sensory vesicle containing small granules See statolith

Word History and Origins

Origin of statocyst¹

1900–05; stato- ( statoblast ) + -cyst

Example Sentences

The blasting can take a particular toll on a part of the body in invertebrates called the statocyst.

From New York Times

"I think of a statocyst as an inside-out tennis ball," explains Dr Mooney.

From BBC

In the statocyst, the compartment responsible for spatial orientation and hearing, the researchers found large lesions, missing or damaged hairs and ruptured plasma membranes.

From Scientific American

"For example, we can predict that, since the statocyst is responsible for balance and spatial orientation, noise-induced damage to this structure would likely affect the cephalopod's ability to hunt, evade predators and even reproduce."

From Scientific American

It is equipped with a statocyst, an efficient apparatus just below the brain that acts like the gravity perceiver of the human inner ear, telling the octopus which direction is up.

From Time Magazine Archive