Vomer
321791
222614736
2008-06-30T07:40:59Z
Haplochromis
3472874
de:Pflugscharbein
{{Infobox Anatomy |
Name = {{PAGENAME}} |
Latin = |
GraySubject = 43 |
GrayPage = 170 |
Image = Illu facial bones.jpg |
Caption = Vomer labeled at left. |
Image2 = Gray854.png |
Caption2 = Bones and cartilages of septum of nose. Right side. (Vomer visible at bottom left.) |
System = |
MeshName = Vomer |
MeshNumber = A02.165.407.600 |
DorlandsPre = |
DorlandsSuf = |
}}
The '''vomer''' (from Latin ''vomer, -ĕris'', "ploughshare") is one of the unpaired facial [[bone]]s of the [[skull]]. It is located in the midsagittal line, and articulates with the [[sphenoid bone|sphenoid]], the [[ethmoid bone|ethmoid]], the left and right [[palatine bone|palatine]] bones, and the left and right [[maxillary bone|maxillary]] bones.
==Vomeronasal organ==
The [[vomeronasal organ]], also called Jacobson's organ, is a [[chemoreceptor]] organ named for its closeness to the vomer and [[nasal bone]]s, and is particularly developed in animals such as cats (who adopt a characteristic pose called the ''[[Flehmen reaction]]'' or ''flehming'' when making use of it), and is thought to have to do with the perception of certain [[pheromone]]s.
==Anatomical details==
The vomer is situated in the median plane, but its anterior portion is frequently bent to one or other side.
It is thin, somewhat quadrilateral in shape, and forms the hinder and lower part of the nasal septum; it has two surfaces and four borders.
The surfaces are marked by small furrows for [[blood vessel]]s, and on each is the [[nasopalatine groove]], which runs obliquely downward and forward, and lodges the nasopalatine nerve and vessels.
===Borders===
The ''superior border'', the thickest, presents a deep furrow, bounded on either side by a horizontal projecting ala of bone; the furrow receives the [[rostrum]] of the [[sphenoid bone|sphenoid]], while the margins of the alæ articulate with the vaginal processes of the medial [[pterygoid]] plates of the sphenoid behind, and with the sphenoidal processes of the palatine bones in front.
The ''inferior border'' articulates with the crest formed by the maxillæ and [[palatine bone]]s.
The ''anterior border'' is the longest and slopes downward and forward. Its upper half is fused with the [[perpendicular plate]] of the [[ethmoid]]; its lower half is grooved for the inferior margin of the [[septal cartilage of the nose]].
The ''posterior border'' is free, concave, and separates the [[choanae]]. It is thick and bifid above, thin below.
== Articulations ==
The vomer articulates with ''six'' bones:
* two of the cranium, the sphenoid and [[ethmoid bone|ethmoid]].
* four of the face, the two [[maxilla|maxillae]]; and the two [[palatine bone]]s.
It also articulates with the [[nasal septum|septal]] [[cartilage]] of the [[nose]].
== Trivia ==
By alternately thrusting with the tongue against the roof of the mouth and pressing with one of the fingers between the two eyebrows, one can articulate the vomer bone. This process, repeated for about 20 seconds, will cause the [[paranasal sinuses|sinuses]] to discharge, thus rapidly clearing a stuffy head without the use of drugs.<ref>[http://www.menshealth.com/cda/article.do?site=MensHealth&channel=health&category=other.diseases.ailments&conitem=98f183b403517010VgnVCM200000cee793cd____&page=2 Health Remedies - Men's Health<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
==Additional images==
<gallery>
Image:Gray173.png|Median wall of left nasal cavity showing vomer ''in situ.''
Image:Gray174.png|The vomer.
Image:Gray187.png|Base of skull. Inferior surface.
Image:Gray190.png|The skull from the front.
Image:Gray194.png|Sagittal section of skull.
</gallery>
== See also ==
* [[Ossification of vomer]]
*[[Bone#Terminology|Bone terminology]]
*[[Terms for anatomical location]]
==External links==
* {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|33|st|02|32}} - "Nasal Cavity: Bones"
* {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|33|02|03}} - "Diagram of skeleton of medial (septal) nasal wall."
* {{NormanAnatomy|lesson9}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|nasalseptumbonescarti}})
* {{UMichAtlas|rsa1p7}} - "Nasal septum, lateral view"
* {{RocheLexicon|34256.000-1}}
* {{RocheLexicon|34257.000-1}}
==References==
<div class="references-small">
<references />
</div>
{{Gray's}}
{{Facial bones}}
[[Category:Skeletal system]]
[[Category:Skull]]
[[ar:ميكعة]]
[[bg:Ралник]]
[[ca:Vòmer]]
[[de:Pflugscharbein]]
[[es:Vómer]]
[[fr:Vomer]]
[[gl:Vómer]]
[[it:Vomere (anatomia)]]
[[lv:Lemesis (kauls)]]
[[nl:Vomer]]
[[ja:鋤骨]]
[[pl:Lemiesz (anatomia)]]
[[pt:Osso vômer]]
[[ru:Сошник (кость)]]
[[sk:Čerieslo]]
[[sl:Ralo]]
[[sr:Раласта кост]]
[[uk:Леміш]]
[[zh:犁骨]]