Definition

1. Noun:
   • A spiral-shaped cavity in the inner ear: The cochlea is the part of the inner ear that resembles a snail's shell. It is a fluid-filled, bony structure that is coiled around a central axis (the modiolus).
   • The primary organ for hearing: It contains the sensory organ (the organ of Corti) that converts sound vibrations into electrical nerve impulses, which are then sent to the brain for interpretation as sound.

Usage

• The word "cochlea" is a technical, anatomical term used primarily in medical, biological, and audiological contexts.
• It is typically used with definite or indefinite articles ("the cochlea", "a cochlea").
• Example:

Examples

• Noun:
  • Sound waves travel through the ear canal and eventually cause vibrations in the fluid of the cochlea.
  • The surgeon carefully examined the patient's cochlea using high-resolution imaging.
  • Hair cells within the cochlea are essential for converting mechanical sound signals into neural signals.

Advanced Usage

• Cochlear: (Adjective) Pertaining to the cochlea.
  • A cochlear implant is a device that can provide a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf.
• Cochleae: (Noun, plural) The plural form of cochlea, often used in scientific literature.
  • The study compared the structure of the cochleae in different mammalian species.

Variants and Related Words

• Cochlear duct (scala media): The central, fluid-filled tube within the cochlea that contains the organ of Corti.
• Cochlear nerve: The branch of the vestibulocochlear nerve that carries auditory information from the cochlea to the brain.
• Cochleitis: (Noun) Inflammation of the cochlea.

Synonyms

• Inner ear organ (for hearing): This is a descriptive synonym, as there is no single common word that is a direct synonym for this specific anatomical structure.
• Acoustic receptor: A functional description.

Related Phrases

• Cochlear implant: (Noun phrase) A surgically implanted electronic device that provides a sense of sound.
• Cochlear hydrops: (Noun phrase) An abnormal buildup of fluid in the cochlea, associated with Ménière's disease.
• Base of the cochlea: The wider end, which responds to high-frequency sounds.
• Apex of the cochlea: The pointed end, which responds to low-frequency sounds.

Noun

1. the snail-shaped tube (in the inner ear coiled around the modiolus) where sound vibrations are converted into nerve impulses by the organ of Corti