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Vomer

The vomer is a thin, flat, plow-shaped bone forming the posteroinferior part of the nasal septum. It articulates superiorly with the sphenoid bone, anteriorly with the septal cartilage and perpendicular plate of the ethmoid, and inferiorly with the maxillary and palatine bones. The vomer is triangular in shape, broad at the superior end and tapering inferiorly, and serves as a central support structure for the nasal septum, helping to divide the nasal cavity into left and right passages. Its posterior border is free and thin, while the anterior border provides attachment for the nasal septal cartilage, allowing for stability and alignment of the septum.

Synonyms

  • Nasal septum vomer

  • Septal bone

  • Posteroinferior nasal septum

Function

  • Provides structural support to the nasal septum

  • Divides the nasal cavity into right and left airways

  • Serves as a skeletal landmark for cephalometric analysis and surgical planning

  • Helps maintain nasal symmetry and airway patency

Location

  • Located in the midline of the nasal cavity

  • Forms the posteroinferior portion of the nasal septum

  • Inferior to the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid

  • Superior to the hard palate

  • Posterior to the septal cartilage

  • Anterior to the sphenoid body

Anatomical components

  • Body of the vomer:

    • Thin vertical plate forming the septum

  • Superior border:

    • Thickened and grooved to articulate with the sphenoid rostrum

  • Inferior border:

    • Articulates with the maxillae and palatine bones

  • Anterior border:

    • Articulates with septal cartilage and perpendicular plate of ethmoid

  • Posterior border:

    • Free and forms the posterior edge of the nasal septum

Relations

Superiorly:

  • Sphenoid bone (rostrum)

  • Perpendicular plate of the ethmoid

Inferiorly:

  • Maxillary crests

  • Horizontal plates of palatine bones

Anteriorly:

  • Septal cartilage

Posteriorly:

  • Choanae

  • Nasopharynx

Laterally:

  • Nasal cavities

  • Inferior and middle nasal meatuses

Function

  • Nasal septum formation: Contributes to separation of nasal cavities

  • Airflow regulation: Helps direct and streamline nasal airflow

  • Structural support: Supports septal cartilage and nasal framework

X-ray appearance

Skull and facial radiographs (lateral / Waters view):

  • Vomer: Thin vertical radiopaque line in the midline

  • Visibility: Limited due to overlap of facial structures

  • Alignment: Assessed indirectly as part of the nasal septum

CT appearance

Non-contrast CT:

  • Vomer: Thin cortical bone forming the posterior nasal septum

  • Margins: Sharp, well-defined cortical outlines

  • Relationship: Clearly seen between nasal cavities

  • Evaluation: Best modality for assessing alignment and morphology

Post-contrast CT:

  • Bone: No enhancement

  • Adjacent mucosa: Expected enhancement patterns

3D CT VRT appearance

Volume-rendered technique (VRT):

  • Vomer: Thin midline vertical plate extending posteriorly

  • Articulations: Visible junctions with maxilla, palatine bones, and sphenoid

  • Utility: Useful for preoperative planning and assessment of septal anatomy

MRI appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Vomer: Very low signal intensity (cortical bone)

  • Adjacent septal cartilage: Intermediate signal

  • Surrounding soft tissues: Normal nasal mucosal signal

T2-weighted images:

  • Bone: Low signal

  • Nasal mucosa: Intermediate-to-high signal

FLAIR:

  • Bone: Low signal

  • Nasopharyngeal and nasal cavity structures: Clearly delineated

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI):

  • No diffusion restriction

  • Bone: Not conspicuous

Post-contrast T1-weighted images:

  • Vomer: No enhancement

MRI images

Vomer mri axial image -img-00000-00000

MRI images

Vomer mri coronal image -img-00000-00000

CT image

Vomer CT AXIAL

CT VRT image

Vomer bone 3d

X ray

X ray Vomer anatomy image -img-00000-00000