Vomer

The vomer is a thin, flat bone that plays a crucial role in forming the posteroinferior portion of the nasal septum. Characterized by its almost trapezoidal shape, this bone is distinguished by two primary surfaces—right and left—which are adorned with various grooves. These grooves accommodate nerves and vessels, with the most significant being the vomerine groove, which runs obliquely in an anteroinferior direction, and accomodates the nasopalatine nerve and vessels.

medThe vomer exhibits four distinct borders. The superior border is notably the thickest, extending outward in the form of two alae, or wings, separated by a deep furrow. These alae are designed to fit snugly against the rostrum of the sphenoid bone and the sphenoid conchae located above. Beneath the ala, the vaginal process of the medial pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone is positioned, creating a vomerovaginal canal on both the right and left sides. Just below this, the sphenoidal process of the palatine bone slots in underneath the sphenoid bone's vaginal process, establishing the palatovaginal canal.

The inferior border of the vomer connects seamlessly with the median nasal crests of the maxilla and the palatine bones. In contrast, the anterior border, which is the longest, slants forward. The posterior part of this border articulates with the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone from above, while the anterior part links with the nasal septal cartilage.

Lastly, the vomer is framed by a concave posterior border, also known as the vomerine crest of the choana. This distinct feature effectively separates the two posterior nasal apertures, underscoring the vomer's importance in the structural integrity and functionality of the nasal cavity.