inner ear

noun

: the essential organ of hearing and equilibrium that is located in the temporal bone, is innervated by the auditory nerve, and includes the vestibule, the semicircular canals, and the cochlea

Examples of inner ear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Hearing Loss Melanocytes are present in the skin and other body parts, including the inner ear. Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 25 Feb. 2025 The virus can also cause direct damage to the inner ear, resulting in deafness. Rob Williams, EverydayHealth.com, 19 Feb. 2025 This saliva contains enzymes that can trigger inflammation within the inner ear, a condition known as acute labyrinthitis. Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025 Gene therapy involved the use of an inactive virus carrying a functioning version of the gene, which was introduced into the inner ears of the six children. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 23 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for inner ear

Word History

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inner ear was in 1855

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Cite this Entry

“Inner ear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inner%20ear. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

inner ear

noun
: the part of the ear that is most important for hearing, is located in a cavity in the temporal bone, and contains the ends of the nerves which send nerve impulses concerned with hearing and balance to the brain

Medical Definition

inner ear

noun
: the essential part of the vertebrate organ of hearing and equilibrium that typically is located in the temporal bone, is innervated by the auditory nerve, and includes the vestibule, the semicircular canals, and the cochlea

called also internal ear

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