COCHLEA

cochlea

(noun) the snail-shaped tube (in the inner ear coiled around the modiolus) where sound vibrations are converted into nerve impulses by the organ of Corti

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

cochlea (plural cochleas or cochleae)

(anatomy) The complex, spirally coiled, tapered cavity of the inner ear in which sound vibrations are converted into nerve impulses.

A spiral-shaped shell, especially that of a snail.

Source: Wiktionary

Coch"le*a, n. Etym: [L., a snail, or snail shell, Gr. (Anat.)

Definition: An appendage of the labyrinth of the internal ear, which is elongated and coiled into a spiral in mammals. See Ear.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition