vomeronasal organ
Acronym:
VNO
The term vomeronasal organ (VNO) refers to a tiny structure identified by topoology and histology in the olfactory epithelium (OLE) of some but not all macrosmatic mammals ( Moran-1995 ). It is the location of accessory olfactory receptors (OLRa), which detect pheromones, that is, sex- and age-specific oderants that are produced and sensed by members of a species but not by those of other species. It is found in the rat, mouse and human ( Moran-1995 ) but not the macaque ( Zhang-2003 Francia-2014 ). Identified by direct visualization of the nasal septal mucosa and by histology in the human, it is located far from the olfactory epithelium, which contains receptors for most olfactory stimuli other than pheromones, which are found high in the nasal cavity. The VNO connects to the accessory olfactory bulb by two separate but closely intertwined nerves in the vomeronasal-terminal nerve complex ( Sonne-2023 ). For function, see accessory olfactory bulb. Updated 13 Jun 2024.
Also known as: Jacobson's organNeuroNames ID : 1566
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