| vestibulocochlear organ | The external, middle, and internal ear. Synonym: organum vestibulocochleare. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| vestigial organ | A rudimentary structure in humans corresponding to a functional structure or organ in the lower animals. (05 Mar 2000) |
| visual organ | The eye and its adnexa. Synonym: organum visus, organ of vision. (05 Mar 2000) |
| vomeronasal organ | A specialised part of the olfactory system located anteriorly in the nasal cavity within the nasal septum. Chemosensitive cells of the vomeronasal organ project via the vomeronasal nerve to the accessory olfactory bulb. The primary function of this organ appears to be in sensing pheromones which regulate reproductive and other social behaviours. While the structure has been thought absent in higher primate adults, data now suggests it may be present in adult humans. (12 Dec 1998) |
| Golgi tendon organ | <cell biology, physiology> A proprioceptive sensory nerve ending embedded among the fibres of a tendon, often near the musculotendinous junction; it is compressed and activated by any increase of the tendon's tension, caused either by active contraction or passive stretch of the corresponding muscle. Synonym: neurotendinous organ, neurotendinous spindle. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Chievitz' organ | A normal epithelial structure, possibly a neurotransmitter, found at the angle of the mandible with branches of the buccal nerve. (05 Mar 2000) |
| gustatory organ | Located in the papillae of the mucous membrane of the tongue, chiefly in the vallate papillae. Synonym: organum gustus, organ of taste. (05 Mar 2000) |
| rosenmuller's organ | <anatomy> The parovarium. Origin: So named from its first describer, J. C. Rosenmuller, a German anatomist. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| wandering organ | An organ with loose attachments, permitting its displacement. Synonym: floating organ, ptotic organ. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Weber's organ | A minute pouch in the prostate opening on the summit of the seminal colliculus, the analogue of the uterus and vagina in the female, being the remains of the fused caudal ends of the paramesonephric ducts. Synonym: utriculus prostaticus, masculine uterus, Morgagni's sinus, sinus pocularis, uterus masculinus, vagina masculina, vesica prostatica, Weber's organ. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Corti's organ | A prominent ridge of highly specialised epithelium in the floor of the cochlear duct overlying the basilar membrane of cochlea, containing one inner row and three outer rows of hair cells, or cells of Corti (the auditory receptor cells innervated by the cochlear nerve) supported by various columnar cells: the pillars of Corti, cells of Hensen, and cells of Claudius; the spiral organ is partly overhung by an awning-like shelf, the tectorial membrane, the free marginal zone of which is covered by a gelatinous substance in which the stereocilia of the outer hair cells are embedded. Synonym: organum spirale, acoustic papilla, Corti's organ. (05 Mar 2000) |
| critical organ | The organ or physiologic system that for a given source of radiation would first reach its legally defined maximum permissible radiation exposure as the dose of radiopharmaceutical is increased; e.g., the kidney is the critical organ when 197Hg-chlormerodrin is given. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ptotic organ | An organ with loose attachments, permitting its displacement. Synonym: floating organ, ptotic organ. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spiral organ | A prominent ridge of highly specialised epithelium in the floor of the cochlear duct overlying the basilar membrane of cochlea, containing one inner row and three outer rows of hair cells, or cells of Corti (the auditory receptor cells innervated by the cochlear nerve) supported by various columnar cells: the pillars of Corti, cells of Hensen, and cells of Claudius; the spiral organ is partly overhung by an awning-like shelf, the tectorial membrane, the free marginal zone of which is covered by a gelatinous substance in which the stereocilia of the outer hair cells are embedded. Synonym: organum spirale, acoustic papilla, Corti's organ. (05 Mar 2000) |
| neuromast organ | A structure in fish consisting of a long groove or canal extending along each side of the trunk and tail and branching in the head region; the groove or tube is lined with neuroepithelial cells, some of which are in groups known as neuromasts; its function appears to be the detection of vibrations of low frequency. Synonym: neuromast organ. (05 Mar 2000) |