Vomer
Irregular Bone; part of the axial skeleton (core skull)
Also known as: Plough Bone
Classification
Irregular Bone; part of the axial skeleton (core skull)
Dimensions
A small, thin, plow-shaped plate; it is typically taller than it is wide and sits vertically in the center of the nasal cavity.
Key Features
It looks like a small, flat wedge or a miniature plow blade. Its primary job is forming the bottom and back portion of the wall that divides the nose into left and right halves.
Similar Bones
It is often confused with the ethmoid bone, which sits directly above it. You can tell them apart because the vomer is a single, solid blade at the bottom, while the ethmoid is more sponge-like and sits higher up toward the forehead.
Across Species
In many animals, this bone is relatively larger and more prominent. In reptiles and some mammals, it supports the organs used for 'tasting' the air. In birds, the shape varies wildly depending on their diet and beak shape, while in humans, it has become a simplified thin leaf of bone.
Evolutionary History
This bone is ancient, tracing back to the early jawed fish where it formed part of the roof of the mouth. Over millions of years, as lineages moved onto land and developed complex nasal passages for breathing and smelling, it transitioned from a tooth-bearing plate to a structural divider.
Photography Tips
To capture this bone, take a photo looking directly into the nasal opening or a side-view cutaway as seen in museum displays. Use a bright light to show its thinness and include a small ruler for scale if the skull is detached.
Notes
what is the blue highlighted part