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semicircular canal
noun
Note: Rotational and angular movements of the head cause the watery fluid in one or more of the semicircular canals to shift so that hair cells at the base of the canals bend and generate electrical signals which are transmitted to the brain by a branch of the auditory nerve.
see ear illustrationExamples of semicircular canal in a Sentence
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Word History
1694, in the meaning defined above
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Cite this Entry
“Semicircular canal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semicircular%20canal. Accessed 18 Aug. 2024.
Kids Definition
semicircular canal
nounMedical Definition
semicircular canal
nounMore from Merriam-Webster on semicircular canal
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about semicircular canal
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