The Garden of Learning

Science

Which organ of a sperm whale inspired the name 'spermaceti'?

  • Its head organ
  • Its liver
  • Its blubber

The answer is Its head organ. The spermaceti organ in its head — once prized oil.

Spermaceti organ

The spermaceti organ is an organ present in the heads of toothed whales of the superfamily Physeteroidea, in particular the sperm whale. The organ contains a waxy liquid called spermaceti and is thought to be involved in the generation of sound.

Wikipedia · Spermaceti organ