Cochleary

/ˈkɒkliəri/ adjective

Definition

Of, relating to, or shaped like a cochlea or snail shell; spiral-shaped.

Etymology

From Latin cochlea (snail shell) with the adjective suffix -ary. A variant descriptor used in anatomy to indicate spiral or snail-like qualities.

Kelly Says

The word cochleary appears mostly in older anatomical texts—modern science tends to use cochlear instead, showing how medical terminology evolves even as the spiral shape of the ear structure stays the same.

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