otolith

(noun)

a small particle, comprised mainly of calcium carbonate, found in the inner ear of vertebrates, being part of the balance sense

Related Terms

Examples of otolith in the following topics:

  • Balance and Determining Equilibrium

    • The stereocilia of the hair cells extend into a viscous gel called the otolith.
    • The otolith contains calcium carbonate crystals, making it denser and giving it greater inertia than the macula.
    • Therefore, gravity will cause the otolith to move separately from the macula in response to head movements.
    • Tilting the head causes the otolith to slide over the macula in the direction of gravity.
    • The moving otolith layer, in turn, bends the sterocilia to cause some hair cells to depolarize as others hyperpolarize.