statocyst
Quick Summary
A statocyst is an organ of equilibrium found in many aquatic invertebrates. It is typically a fluid-filled sac lined with sensory hairs. Inside the statocyst are small, dense particles called statoliths. These statoliths rest on the sensory hairs, and as the animal moves or changes position, the statoliths shift, stimulating different sensory hairs. This stimulation allows the animal to sense its orientation and maintain balance. Statocysts are found in a wide range of invertebrates, including jellyfish, crustaceans, and mollusks. In vertebrates, analogous structures are found in the inner ear, such as the utriculus.12
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
- bivalveThe nervous system and organs of sensation
…ganglia are a pair of statocysts, which comprise a capsule of ciliated sense cells. In the lumen is either a single statolith or numerous crystalline statoconia. Their points of contact with the surrounding cilia yield information about the animal’s orientation. Additionally, most bivalves with or without eyes have light-sensitive cells…
Read More…ganglia are a pair of statocysts, which comprise a capsule of ciliated sense cells. In the lumen is either a single statolith or numerous crystalline statoconia. Their points of contact with the surrounding cilia yield information about the animal’s orientation. Additionally, most bivalves with or without eyes have light-sensitive cells…
Read More 
cnidarianNervous system and organs of sensationStatocysts, located between the tentacles or near the tentacular base, inform the animal of its orientation with respect to gravitational forces. Light-sensitive ocelli (external patches of pigment and photoreceptor cells organized in either a flat disk or a pit) occur in some medusae of each…
Read MoreStatocysts, located between the tentacles or near the tentacular base, inform the animal of its orientation with respect to gravitational forces. Light-sensitive ocelli (external patches of pigment and photoreceptor cells organized in either a flat disk or a pit) occur in some medusae of each…
Read More
crustaceanThe nervous system…are used in association with statocysts. Statocysts are paired organs, located at the base of the antennules in decapods or at the base of the uropods in mysids, that enable the crustacean to orient itself with respect to gravity. Each statocyst is a rounded sac containing one or more small…
Read More…are used in association with statocysts. Statocysts are paired organs, located at the base of the antennules in decapods or at the base of the uropods in mysids, that enable the crustacean to orient itself with respect to gravity. Each statocyst is a rounded sac containing one or more small…
Read More
ctenophoreForm and function.…a conspicuous sense organ (the statocyst) at one end (aboral) of the body and a mouth at the other end (oral). The eight comb rows that extend orally from the vicinity of the statocyst serve as organs of locomotion. Each comb row is made up of a series of transverse…
Read More…a conspicuous sense organ (the statocyst) at one end (aboral) of the body and a mouth at the other end (oral). The eight comb rows that extend orally from the vicinity of the statocyst serve as organs of locomotion. Each comb row is made up of a series of transverse…
Read More