-əˈküstə̇kə noun
( plural cristae acusti·cae -tə̇ˌkē, -ˌsē, -ī)
Etymology: New Latin, literally, acoustic crest
1. : one of the areas of specialized sensory epithelium in the ampullae of the semicircular canals of the ear serving as end organs for the labyrinthine sense
2. : an auditory organ on the fore tibia of certain insects (as most grasshoppers)