The Human Vomeronasal Organ: Part IV. Incidence, Topography, Endoscopy, and Ultrastructure of the Nasopalatine Recess, Nasopalatine Fossa, and Vomeronasal Organ

Abstract

Background Previous reports on the human vomeronasal organ (VNO) have been inconsistent. Observations of fossae on the nasal septum have been reported as the VNO. Methods Adult human subjects (210) and cadavers (31) were examined using rigid nasal endoscopy, serial histology, and biopsy ultrastructure (5). Results The nasopalatine fossa (NPF) and the nasopalatine recess (NPR) are discrete, but variable, structures located adjacent to the VNO region. The NPF is not a vomeronasal pit. A septal mucosal pit could hide the vomeronasal duct opening. The VNO is a submucosal structure located 2–8 mm superior to the NPR and cannot be positively identified either macroscopically or endoscopically. Conclusion The VNO has long been mistaken for the NPF and septal mucosal pits. We show that serial histology is the correct method for identifying the VNO.