Word Study
cochlea
CIDE DICTIONARY
cochlea, n. [L., a snail, or snail shell, Gr. kochli`as a snail, fr. ko`chlos a shellfish with a spiral shell.].
An appendage of the labyrinth of the internal ear, which is elongated and coiled into a spiral in mammals. See Ear. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
cochlea, n. (pl. cochleae) the spiral cavity of the internal ear.
Derivative
cochlear adj.
Etymology
L, = snail-shell, f. Gk kokhlias
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