cochlea

n. the bony fluid-filled part of the inner ear that is concerned with hearing. Shaped like a snail shell, it forms part of the bony labyrinth. Along its length run three canals: the scala vestibuli, scala tympani, and scala media, or cochlear duct. The floor of the scala media is formed by the basilar membrane; the organ of Corti, which rests on the basilar membrane, contains the hair cells that act as auditory receptor organs. —cochlear adj.

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Psychology term of the day

November 18th 2024

adolescent sex changes

the physical and physiological changes that start at puberty. They include accelerated development of sex organs, the appearance of secondary sex characteristics, and the first occurrence of seminal ejaculation in boys and menstruation in girls.