part of develops from start stage end stage middle lateral line zebrafish_anatomy middle lateral lines One of eight distinct lateral lines in the 4-day larva positioned posterior to the ear. A sensory system on the surface of the fish, consisting of small sensory patches (neuromasts) distributed in discrete lines over the body surface. The lateral line system is stimulated by local water displacements and vibrations, and detects propulsion of the fish through the water, as well as facilitating shoaling, prey capture, and predator and obstacle avoidance. (See Anatomical Atlas entry for <a href='http://zfin.org/zf_info/anatomy/dict/lat_line/lat_line.html'>lateral line</a> by T. Whitfield.) TAO:0000344 ZFA:0000344 lateral line anterior lateral line middle lateral line system middle lateral line primordium pharyngula:prim-25 adult