cochlea

(käk′lē ə, kōk′lē ə)

the spiral-shaped part of the inner ear, containing the cochlear nerve endings

Origin: ModL < L < Gr kochlias, snail, snail shell < kochlos, shellfish; akin to konchē: see conch

Related Forms:

See cochlea in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. coch·le·ae (-lē-ēˌ, -lē-īˌ) also coch·le·as

A spiral-shaped cavity of the inner ear that resembles a snail shell and contains nerve endings essential for hearing.

Origin:

Origin: Latin, snail shell

Origin: , from Greek kokhliās, snail

Origin: , from kokhlos, land snail

Related Forms:

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