Comparative Anatomy of the Vomeronasal Organ (VNO) in Sheep (Ovis aries) and Dogs (Canis familiaris) with Simple Reference to its Histological Structure and Vasculature Supply

SUMMARY: The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is located in the anteroinferior part of the nose and the accessory olfactory organ in mammals which is responsible of sense of smell. This study aims to compare the macro and microanatomical structure of the VNO between sheep and dogs. In the current study, we used ten adult slaughtered sheep and ten adult synchronized dogs with different sexes ages 1-2 years. The head of both animals were preserved in 10 % formalin for one week. This study shows in both animals, the VNO occupies the same position in the cavity of the vomer bone and the same relationship in the cranial part of the nasal cavity. Furthermore, the VNO is divided into three parts based on shape that are the rostral, central, and caudal part. The results show the VNO in sheep has a (U) shape and is opened dorsolaterally. It has a small and narrow cavity. It is long 6 cm long, and it has different diameters on its course. In comparison, the vomeronasal organ in dogs is very developed and has a (J) shape. It has a large and long cavity and ends at the fourth molar. Its length is about 10 cm, and it has one diameter on its course. The VNO receives the blood supply from the sphenopalatine and caudal palatine arteries. The present study shows main differences between sheep and dogs VNO in which the structure of vomeronasal bone between the sheep and dog is completely different. The finding will illustrate fundamental differences and provide specific structural differences between the two species.

El órgano vomeronasal (OVN) se encuentra en la parte anteroinferior de la nariz y el órgano olfativo accesorio en los mamíferos es responsable del sentido del olfato. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo comparar la estructura macro y microanatómica del OVN entre ovejas y perros. En el estudio utilizamos diez ovejas adultas y diez perros adultos de diferentes sexos con edades de 1 a 2 años. Las cabezas de ambos animales se conservaron en formol al 10 % durante una semana. Este estudio mostró que en ambos animales, el OVN ocupa la misma posición en la cavidad del hueso vómer y la misma relación en la parte craneal de la cavidad nasal. Según su forma el OVN se divide en tres partes: rostral, central y caudal. Los resultados mostraron que el OVN en las ovejas tiene forma de (U) y está abierto dorsolateralmente. Presenta una cavidad pequeña y estrecha. Además, tiene una longitud de 6 cm y tiene diferentes diámetros en su recorrido. En comparación, el órgano vomeronasal en los perros está muy desarrollado y tiene forma de (J). Presenta una cavidad grande y larga y termina en el cuarto molar. Su longitud es de unos 10 cm y tiene un diámetro distinto en su recorrido. El OVN recibe el suministro de sangre de las arterias esfenopalatina y palatina caudal. El presente estudio muestra las principales diferencias entre el OVN de ovejas y perros en el que la estructura del hueso vomeronasal entre estos dos animales es completamente diferente. Además, los hallazgos ilustran diferencias fundamentales y determinan diferencias estructurales específicas entre las dos especies.

Evaluation of measuring vomer-palate diameters at 11-13 + 6 weeks of gestation and its diagnostic value for cleft lip and palate / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To investigate the reference range of the length and thickness of the fetal vomer-palate diameters at 11-13 + 6 weeks, and their role in the diagnosis of cleft lip and palate(CLP). Methods:From May 2020 to August 2021, 1 559 pregnant women who underwent ultrasound examination at 11-13 + 6 weeks in Guangdong Women and Children Hospital were selected, and the fetal vomer-palate in the median sagittal plane of the face was observed. The length and thickness diameters of the fetal were measured separately to establish the reference value range of normal fetal.The reference range was compared with the vomer-palate data of fetuses with confirmed CLP. Results:The 1 518 normal fetuses were divided into 11-13 + 6 weeks, 12-12 + 6 weeks and 13-13 + 6 weeks. The reference values of the long diameter of fetal vomer-palatine were 4.3-5.9 mm, 5.0-6.8 mm, 5.4-7.7 mm, and the reference values of the thick diameter were 2.0-2.9 mm, 2.2-3.4 mm, and 2.5-3.8 mm, respectively. The length and thickness of the fetal vomer-palatine were significantly positively correlated with the Crown-rump length ( rs=0.733, 0.634; all P<0.001). In the 1 559 fetals, 25 cases were diagnosed and confirmed with CLP, and the vomer-palate thickness diameters were smaller than the reference values in all cases, meanwhile, the vomer-palate length diameters of 22(88.0)% cases were smaller than the reference values. Conclusions:The reference range of fetal vomer-palate length and thickness at 11-13 + 6 weeks of gestation is valuable for the screening of fetal CLP.

Measurement and evaluation of the vomer development of the patients with cleft palate / 实用口腔医学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the vomer development of cleft palate patients.Methods:38 patients over 1 4 years(averaged 23.4 years)of age with cleft palate and 76 controls of normal people(aged 22.8 year on average)were included.The 3D computed tomo-graphy reconstruction images of the bony nasal septum were measured.The development of the vomer was evaluated by comparing the L1 (the length of the lower edge of the vomer),L2 (the length from nasal spine to the point of the sella)and S (the approximate area of vomer)among deferent groups.Results:The L1 ,L2,and S of cleft palate patients were smaller than those of the controls(P <0. 05).Compared with the postoperative cleft cases,the S and L2 of preoperative cases were bigger(P <0.05).Conclusion:The vomer development is adversely affected by cleft palate.Not only the vomer-palate fusion is lower,but also the sutura between vomer and na-sal septum cartilage and ethmoid bone are short.And the latter is greatly influenced by surgical trauma.

Congenital Defect of the Vomer: Report of Three Cases

Defect or perforation of the nasal septum may arise from diverse causes such as trauma, infection, drug abuse, inhalant irritants and neoplasia. The septal defect or perforation is usually located at the anterior half of the nasal septum regardless of etiologic factors. However, posterior nasal septal defect is infrequent. Moreover, congenital vomer defect is very rare. Recently, we have experienced three cases of congenital vomer defect of the nasal septum detected during nasal endoscopy. We report these cases with review of literature.

Congenital Defect of Vomer: A Case Report and Review of the Literature / 대한이비인후과학회지

Among the variety of local and systemic causative factors of nasal septal defects, the most frequent cause is the iatrogenic perforation found during septal surgery. We report a 10-year-old boy who showed a defect at the posteroinferior portion of the septum that appeared to coincide with the location of the vomer. He didn't have nasal surgery, any trauma, infectious disease or drug Abuse. These findings suggests that a developmental abnormality of the vomer taken place during the prenatal period may have resulted in a congenital defect of the vomer. To the best of our knowledge, this report is the first case of a congenital defect of the vomer reported in Korea.

Comment on the situation of vomer trauma in 3 years at Dak Lak hospital (2001-2003)

A retrospective study on 273 patients who suffer from vomer trauma were conducted at ENT from Jan 2001 to Dec 2003. The result showed that: the number of patients in the following year often higher in the previous year, most of them are Kinh ethnic. Most of patients who suffered from fracture on vomer operated within 10 days so the result are good, no after effect and complication later. The simple nose bone fracture is higher than multiple trauma, rate in males is 5 times higher than in females. The rate for female in 2003 is higher than in 2002. The number of patients in the provincial level hospitals is higher than in the urban level hospitals. Reason: highest is traffic accident, then fighting accidents and lowest is labor accident. The bone nose fracture caused by fighting in the following year is higher than previous year. In 2002, the traffic accident lessen significantly to compare with 2001 but in 2003, there is an increase of traffic accident cases.

Histochemical Characterization of the Lectin-binding Sites in the Equine Vomeronasal Organ

The binding specificities of various lectins, such as the Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), soybean agglutinin (SBA), and the Bandeiraea simplicifolia BS-1 (Isolectin B4), Triticum vulgaris (WGA), Arachis hypogaea (PNA), and Ulex europaeus (UEA-I) lectins, were studied in the vomeronasal organ of the horse. The microvilli of the vomeronasal sensory epithelium were positive for DBA, SBA, Isolectin B4, WGA, PNA, and UEA-I. The receptor cells showed intense reactivity for DBA and WGA. Lectins were not detected in the supporting cells or basal cells. The Jacobson's glands were positive for WGA and UEA-I, but lectins were absent from the nerve bundles. From these results, we postulate that several lectin-binding carbohydrates on the microvilli and neurosensory cells are associated with chemoreception in the horse. In addition, the differential lectin-binding patterns in the horse suggest that the carbohydrates present in this particular sense organ are species-specific.