Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
sacculus

sacculus

9.9
Small pouch in the inner ear that helps balance
  • noun
  • /ˈsæk.jə.ləs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sáculo
  • The sacculus plays a crucial role in maintaining balance by detecting changes in head position.

How does it construct itself a sacculus around this system and build up?

Examples

  • In the inner ear, the sacculus is responsible for sensing linear acceleration and gravity.

  • These sensory cells are found in the cristae at the ampullated ends of the semicircular canals and in the maculae of the utricle and sacculus.

    Academic text (2005)

  • During the anatomy lesson, we learned that the sacculus is part of the vestibular system.

Synonyms

sac
vssacculus
  • Specialized
25 4.8

A small hollow bag in animals and plants that holds fluid or air

is narrower, referring to a small internal pouch especially in the inner ear
saccule
vssacculus
  • Specialized
9.9

A small sac in the inner ear that helps detect up and down movement for balance

is the same anatomical structure but uses an alternative term

How Big

chamber
271 3.9
sac
  • Specialized
25 4.8
pouch
72 2.1
sacculus
  • Specialized
9.9
vesicle
  • Specialized
3 7.9

Surface Forms

sacculus singular
sacculi plural

Etymology

Sacculus comes from the Latin saccus meaning 'bag' plus the small ending -culus, so it literally means 'little bag'. That is why a sacculus is a tiny pouch in the body, for example a little 'sack' in the inner ear that helps with balance.