Weberian apparatus

Weberian apparatus
/vay bear"ee euhn/, n.
(in certain fishes) a chain of small bones and ligaments connecting the inner ear with the air bladder.
[1885-90; named after E. H. WEBER; see -IAN]

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▪ fish anatomy
      distinctive chain of small bones characteristic of fish of the superorder Ostariophysi (ostariophysan) (carps, characins, minnows, suckers, loaches, catfish, and others). The Weberian apparatus consists of four pairs of bones, called ossicles, derived from the vertebrae immediately following the skull. The bones link the swim bladder and inner ear and serve to enhance hearing by conducting pressure changes produced by externally originating sound waves from the swim bladder to the ear.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Weberian apparatus — The Weberian apparatus is made up of a set of bones known as Weberian ossicles, a chain of small bones that connect the auditory system to the gas bladder of fishes. It is a characteristic of the superorder Ostariophysi. The ossicles connect the… …   Wikipedia

  • weberian apparatus — noun Usage: usually capitalized W Etymology: Ernst H. Weber died 1878 + English an : the entire set of structures including the Weberian ossicles and their ligaments by which the air bladder of some fishes is connected to the ear * * * /vay bear… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Weberian apparatus — four bones and associated tissues connecting the gas bladder to the inner ear and conveying pressure changes and sound. Usually the definition includes the first four vertebrae (two and three may be fused), a supporting unit or pars sustentaculum …   Dictionary of ichthyology

  • apparatus Weberei — Weberian apparatus (four bones and associated tissues connecting the gas bladder to the inner ear and conveying pressure changes and sound. Usually the definition includes the first four vertebrae (two and three may be fused), a supporting unit… …   Dictionary of ichthyology

  • Weberian vertebrae — the four anterior vertebrae associated with the Weberian apparatus …   Dictionary of ichthyology

  • Weberian ossicles — the four bones in a chain derived from vertebrae in the Weberian apparatus forming the auditory unit or pars auditum (anterior to posterior): claustrum, scaphium, intercalarium and tripus. Also called ossa auditoria …   Dictionary of ichthyology

  • Weberian ossicle — noun One of a chain of small bones that connect the auditory system to the air bladder of teleost fishes. See Also: Weberian apparatus …   Wiktionary

  • ostariophysan — ▪ fish Introduction  any of about8,000 species of bony fishes (bony fish) belonging to a group that includes the majority of freshwater fishes throughout the world. Familiar representatives of this group are the minnows (minnow), suckers (sucker) …   Universalium

  • Ostariophysi — Temporal range: Early Cretaceous Recent [1] Milkfish, Chanos chanos Scientific classificat …   Wikipedia

  • Catfish — For other uses, see Catfish (disambiguation). Catfish Temporal range: Late Cretaceous – present Black bullhead Scientific classificati …   Wikipedia

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