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Definition

noun

The three half-circular, interconnected tubular canals in the inner ear, namely the horizontal semicircular canal, anterior semicircular canal and posterior semicircular canal.

Supplement

The semicircular canals are one of the two major parts of the vestibular apparatus, the other being the vestibule of the ear.

In mammals, the size of the semicircular canals is correlated with their type of locomotion. Specifically, species that are agile and have fast, jerky locomotion have larger canals relative to their body size than those that move more cautiously.

Variant: semicircular canals

See also: vestibular apparatus