auditory capsule

o·tic cap·sule

the cartilage capsule surrounding the internal ear mechanism; in elasmobranchs, it remains cartilaginous in the adult; in the embryos of higher vertebrates, it is cartilaginous at first but later becomes bony (at approximately 23 weeks in humans).

Synonym(s): auditory capsule

o·tic cap·sule

(ō'tik kap'sŭl)

The cartilage that, in the embryo, surrounds the developing otic vesicle and develops into the bony labyrinth of the internal ear.
Synonym(s): auditory capsule.

auditory capsule

The embryonic cartilaginous capsule that encloses the developing ear.

See also: capsule

auditory capsule

the bony or cartilaginous capsule that encloses the middle and inner parts of the ear in vertebrates.