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# Vomer

The vomer is a thin, plough-shaped bone in the lower back part of the nasal septum, the wall that divides the two sides of the nose.

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## What it is

A thin plough-shaped bone in the lower back of the nasal septum.

## What it does

Forms part of the wall between the two sides of the nose.

## Key points

- It forms the lower back part of the [nasal septum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/nasal-septum/); its free posterior border divides the two choanae (posterior nasal openings) in the midline
- A groove on each side carries the nasopalatine nerve and vessels forward and down to the incisive canal
- Its upper border spreads into two wings (alae) that clasp the rostrum of the sphenoid body
- Septal spurs often form at its junction with the septal cartilage and the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone

## Key facts

**Joints with**
Sphenoid, ethmoid, maxillae, palatines; septal cartilage

**Landmarks**
Lower posterior nasal septum

## Relations

**Above**
Rostrum of the sphenoid body between its alae and, in front, the perpendicular plate of the [ethmoid bone](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ethmoid-bone/)

**Below**
Nasal crests of the [maxillae](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/maxilla/) and [palatine bones](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/palatine-bone/) on the floor of the nose

**In front**
Septal cartilage, set in the angle between its front border and the perpendicular plate

**Behind**
Free border between the choanae, facing the nasopharynx

**Lateral**
Mucosa of each [nasal cavity](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/nasal-cavity/), with the nasopalatine nerve running across it

## How to find it

It is not palpable. With a nasal endoscope it is the back part of the septum, and its posterior edge is seen in the midline between the choanae when the nasopharynx is examined.

## On imaging

Coronal CT shows the bony septum, deviations and spurs; on axial and sagittal images the vomer is the thin midline plate in front of the nasopharynx.

## Clinical notes

- Septoplasty removes or repositions deviated parts of the vomer and septal cartilage while keeping a cartilage strut that supports the nose
- Choanal atresia, a bony or membranous block of the choanae beside the vomer: when bilateral, a newborn has cyanosis that improves on crying
- A nasopalatine nerve block at the incisive papilla numbs the front of the hard palate, the end territory of the nerve that runs along the vomer

## Development

Ossifies in membrane from two centres, one on each side of the cartilaginous septum, which fuse; as part of the growing septum, injury in childhood can affect midface growth.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## What part of the nasal septum does the vomer form, and what does its posterior border divide?

The lower back part of the septum; its free posterior border divides the two choanae in the midline.

## Which nerve runs along the vomer, and where is it blocked?

The nasopalatine nerve, in a groove toward the incisive canal; it is blocked at the incisive papilla to numb the front of the hard palate.

## How does bilateral choanal atresia beside the vomer present in a newborn?

Cyanosis that improves on crying, because the choanae are blocked.

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Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

## Its names

**Official Latin (TA2)**
vomer TA2 751

**Official Spanish (DeCS)**
Vómer

**English (TA2)**
Vomer

**Also called**
os vomerale · vomeral bone · vomer bone

Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Anatomy, Head and Neck, Nose Bones](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541117/); [Anatomy, Head and Neck, Nasal Cavity](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544232/).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vomer/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vomer/