Cochleitis
/ˌkɒk.liˈaɪ.tɪs/noun
Inflammation of the cochlea, the spiral-shaped part of the inner ear responsible for hearing.
Did you know?The cochlea’s name comes from the Greek word for “snail,” inspired by its coiled, shell-like shape; the suffix “-itis” means inflammation.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
κοχλίας (kokhليas)
“Snail; spiral shell; anything resembling a snail shell”
Classical Latin
Latin
cochlea
“Snail or spiral shell; later, a spiral-shaped object”
17th Century
New Latin
cochlea
“The spiral cavity of the inner ear”
19th Century
Medical Latin
cochleitis
“Inflammation of the cochlea, formed from cochlea plus -itis”
Modern English
English
cochleitis
“Inflammation of the cochlea, potentially affecting hearing”