Hearing and lateral line | Lateral Line Structure

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

12-1-2011

Abstract

The mechanosensory lateral line system is composed of a spatial array of water flow detector organs (neuromasts) that are composed of directionally sensitive hair cells (like those in the inner ear). In the chondrichthyes and osteichthyes, it is well developed, with superficial neuromasts on the skin and canal neuromasts in the lateral line canals on the head and trunk, and shows morphological variation among species. In lampreys, the system is composed of superficial neuromasts on the head and trunk; it is present only in some hagfishes, where it is represented by ciliated sensory cells in a small number of grooves on the head. © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Encyclopedia of Fish Physiology

Volume

1

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