statocyst

/stætəˈsɪst/

Definitions

1. noun

A sensory organ in some invertebrates, such as starfish, that helps to maintain balance and orientation by detecting changes in the direction of gravity.

“The statocyst of the starfish allows it to sense the direction it is falling.”

Synonyms

  • balance organ
  • gravity receptor

Antonyms

  • disorientation sensor
  • equilibrium organ