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Glite Dictionary
stereocilium

stereocilium

1 9.9
A very small hair-like part on inner ear cells that helps sense sound and movement
  • noun
  • /ˌstɛrɪoʊˈsɪliəm/
  • Specialized
: estereocilio
  • In the cochlea, each stereocilium moves in response to sound vibrations, playing a crucial role in hearing.

Examples

  • Each stereocilium (Figure 1B) is composed of straight (actin) filaments which run along its length from tip to base; the filaments are cross-linked to each other and to the cell membrane.

    Academic text (1998)

  • Other crosslinks are present only at the tips of the stereocilia and appear only as a thin thread connecting the tip of one stereocilium with its taller neighbor in the next row.

    Academic text (1998)

  • OK, so there there are many stereocilia per cell in this cross section.

  • The internal structure of each stereocilium and the organization of stereocilia within the bundle are optimized for response to even slight vibrations.

    Academic text (1998)

  • Damage to the stereocilia in the inner ear can lead to hearing loss and balance issues.

  • Scientists study the structure of stereocilia to better understand how our bodies detect sound and movement.

Synonyms

cilium
vsstereocilium
  • Specialized
2 9.9

A tiny hair on certain cells that moves fluid or helps the cell move

is specialized for sensing sound or movement in inner ear cells

Surface Forms

stereocilium singular
stereocilia plural

Morphology

stereocilium = cilium (opaque) = stereo + cilium

The combining form 'stereo-' plus the technical root 'cilium' form a specialized biological term whose meaning is not recoverable by an average B1 learner from common senses of 'stereo' and 'cilium'.

Etymology

The word stereocilium comes from the parts stereo- ('solid') and cilium ('eyelash' or 'small hair'). So a stereocilium is like a tiny, stiff 'hair' on certain cells that helps the ear sense sound and movement.