Vomer
Flat Bone, part of the core facial skeleton
Also known as: Plowshare Bone
Classification
Flat Bone, part of the core facial skeleton
Dimensions
A thin, vertically oriented, blade-like bone that forms the lower and back portion of the internal nasal partition, measuring roughly a few centimeters in length and exceptionally thin.
Key Features
It appears as a slender, vertical, knife-like partition located deep inside the nasal cavity, separating the left and right air passages right along the center line of the face.
Similar Bones
Often confused with the perpendicular plate of the upper nasal bone or the flexible cartilage that extends outward from it. The vomer can be distinguished by its distinct plowshare-like shape and its position forming the lower-back portion of the central divider.
Across Species
In many mammals, this bone plays a major role in housing the vomeronasal organ, a specialized sensory structure used to detect chemical signals and pheromones. While humans retain a tiny, vestige-like pit, many reptiles, amphibians, and mammals rely heavily on this region for tracking scents and finding food or mates.
Evolutionary History
The vomer has ancient origins, tracing back to the roof of the mouth and jaw structures in early primitive fish and jawed vertebrates. Over millions of years of vertebrate evolution, as skulls reorganized to accommodate a more centralized nasal cavity and complex breathing apparatus, this bone shifted inward to form the dividing wall of the nasal passages.
Photography Tips
To photograph this delicate facial component, use a brightly lit, straight-on front view looking directly into the nasal opening. A macro lens or close-up setting with soft, angled lighting helps highlight its thin, blade-like structure without casting heavy shadows.