equilibrium organ
nounUK /ˌiːkwɪˈlɪbriəm ˈɔːɡən/
US /ˌiːkwɪˈlɪbriəm ˈɔːrɡən/
A body part inside your ear that helps you keep your balance.
When you spin around and feel dizzy, your equilibrium organ is sending mixed signals to your brain.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. The sensory structure of the inner ear that detects head position and motion.
The equilibrium organ includes the semicircular canals and the otolith organs.
3. Any organ or structure that helps an animal maintain bodily stability.
In some invertebrates, specialized equilibrium organs called statocysts serve a similar purpose.
4. A biological system that keeps internal conditions steady.
The kidneys act as an equilibrium organ for water and salt levels in the body.