inner ear

inner ear   n.  The portion of the ear located within the temporal bone that is involved in both hearing and balance and includes the semicircular canals, vestibule, and cochlea. Also called internal ear, labyrinth.

inner ear

The part of the ear, located deep within the skull, where sound vibrations are converted to electrical signals and sent to the brain via the auditory nerve to produce the sensation of hearing. Organs related to balance are also located in the inner ear.

Main Entry: inner ear
Function: noun
: the essential part of the vertebrate organ of hearing and equilibrium that typically is located in the temporal bone, is innervatedby the auditory nerve, and includes the vestibule, the semicircular canals, and the cochlea called also internal ear

inner ear n.
The portion of the ear within the temporal bone that is involved in hearing and balance and includes the semicircular canals, vestibule, and cochlea. Also called internal ear, labyrinth.

inner ear   (ĭn'ər)  Pronunciation Key  The innermost part of the ear in many vertebrate animals, consisting of the cochlea, the semicircular canals, and the vestibule. Sound vibrations are transmitted from the cochlea of the inner ear to the brain by the auditory nerve. The semicircular canals and the vestibule are the body's organs of balance. See more at ear1.