Vomer

Vomer

Definition

Stephan Mahler

The vomer is an odd, symmetrical bone of the cranium, elongated in domestic animals and short and quadrilateral in humans. The vomer forms the caudoventral part of the nasal septum. It extends in the median plane from the body of the sphenoid bone caudally to the incisive bones rostrally and helps to form the roof of the choanae and the median septum of the nasal cavity.

The vomer is subdivided into a groove, a crest and two alae.

The sagittal part of the vomer articulates ventrally with the palatine processes of the maxillae (vomeromaxillary suture), with the caudal parts of the palatine processes of the incisive bones (vomeroincisive suture) and with the rostral parts of the horizontal plates of the palatine bones (vomeropalatine suture).

The horizontal part of the vomer articulates with the sphenoid (vomerophenoidal suture), ethmoid (vomero-ethmoidal suture), palatine and incisive bones.

References

  • Barone R (2020) Anatomie comparée des mammifères domestiques. Tome 1. Ostéologie. 5th Edition. MaxiPrim, Pertuis. 

  • Constantinescu GM, Schaller O (2012) Illustrated veterinary anatomical nomenclature. 3rd Edition. Enke Verlag, Stuttgart.

  •  Evans HE, de Lahunta A (2013). Miller’s Anatomy of the Dog. 4th Edition. Elsevier Saunders, St Louis.

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