cochlea

What is another word for cochlea? Here is its meaning, with related words and examples.

Noun — The coiled, spiral-shaped cavity inside the inner ear that turns sound vibrations into nerve signals.

We haven't recorded synonyms for cochlea yet. You can still read its full definition, where it comes from, or words that rhyme with it.

How to use cochlea

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

damage to the cochlea cochlear implant hair cells in the cochlea the spiral of the cochlea

It is a technical anatomical term, mostly used in medical or scientific contexts rather than everyday speech.

Etymology

Cochlea comes from the Latin word for a snail, which was itself taken from the Ancient Greek kokhlias, meaning a snail with a spiral shell. The word was carried into English to describe the coiled inner-ear structure because of its resemblance to a snail's shell.

Full origin of cochlea →

Frequently asked questions

What does the cochlea do?

It is the coiled part of the inner ear that converts sound vibrations into nerve impulses the brain can interpret as hearing.

Where is the cochlea located?

It sits inside the inner ear, coiled into a spiral shape, and contains the organ of Corti.

Why is it called a cochlea?

The name comes from the Latin and Greek words for a snail, because the structure's tight spiral looks like a snail's shell.

Nearby words

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