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Cited by 109Olfactory and Sensory Function StudiesIon Channels and ReceptorsNasal Surgery and Airway Studies

The vomeronasal (Jacobson's) organ in man: ultrastructure and frequency of occurence

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Moran, David T., Jafek, Bruce W., Rowley, J.Carter·1991·The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
DOI 10.1016/0960-0760(91)90251-y
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Abstract

These investigations address three major questions: (1) What is the frequency of occurrence of the vomeronasal (Jacobson's) organ (VNO) in man? (2) what is the ultrastructure of the human VNO? and (3) does the VNO contain sensory receptor cells? Macroscopic and microscopic intranasal clinical examinations of over 200 persons revealed paired bilateral vomeronasal pits on the anterior 1/3 of the nasal septum in all cases. Biopsies of the vomeronasal pits and surrounding tissues were examined by light and electron microscopy. These studies showed that the vomeronasal pit leads to a closed tube, 2-8 mm long, lined by a unique pseudostratified columnar epithelium unlike any other in the human body. The anterior end of the tube is lined by tall, columnar cells with a sparse population of short microvilli. The posterior end of the VNO is lined by an epithelium that contains three morphologically distinct cell types: (1) basal cells; (2) "dark cells--tall, slender cells with heterochromatic nuclei and electron-dense cytoplasm that often contain mucigen-like granules; and (3) "light" cells--large, clear cells, extending from the basement membrane to the organ's lumen. Each "light" cell has a round, euchromatic nucleus and a clear cytoplasm that often contains many Golgi stacks and membrane-limited vesicles filled with material of modest electron density. The cell apex is tipped by a few short microvilli. Whether these cells subserve any sensory function awaits further investigation.

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  • The epithelium lining the human VNO is unlike that of VNOs in other species and unlike that of olfactory or respiratory epithelium in humans.

    “The epithelium lining the human VNO is unlike that of VNOs in other species and unlike that of olfactory or respiratory epithelium in humans (Moran et al., 1991;Stensaas et al., 1991).”

    From Human Vomeronasal Organ Function: A Critical Review of Best and Worst Cases (2001) · cites this paper as Moran et al., 1991

    The paper’s conclusion describes the human VNO lining as unlike other epithelial linings described in the human body, supporting the comparison with human olfactory and respiratory epithelium. In “The fine structure of the VNO in man,” however, it says some human VNO cells resemble cells in the rat VNO’s nonsensory epithelium. The broader claim that the lining is unlike VNO epithelium in other species is therefore not fully supported. (LLM, conf=0.83)

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  • The human vomeronasal epithelium differs in appearance from both the sensory and non-sensory epithelia in the VNOs of other species and from nasal 'respiratory' epithelium.

    “The human vomeronasal epithelium differs in appearance from both the sensory and non-sensory epithelia in the VNOs of other species and from nasal 'respiratory' epithelium (Moran et al., 1991;Stensaas et al., 1991).”

    From Human Vomeronasal Organ Function: A Critical Review of Best and Worst Cases (2001) · cites this paper as Moran et al., 1991

    In “Does the human VNO contain sensory receptors?” (page unavailable), the paper says human VNO cells are not ultrastructurally identical to sensory neurons described in other mammals. “The fine structure of the human VNO” distinguishes a ciliated cell from those in typical respiratory epithelium. But “The fine structure of the VNO in man” says human VNO cells resemble cells in the nonsensory VNO epithelium of mammals such as rats, so the claimed difference from nonsensory epithelium is not supported. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Authors
Moran, D. T., Jafek, B. W., & Rowley, J. C.
Affiliations
  • Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (US)
  • University of Colorado Anschutz (US)
Corresponding author
Moran, David T.
ORCID
Moran, David T.
Venue
The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
1991-10
Volume
39
Issue
4
Pages
545-552
ISSN
0960-0760 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/0960-0760(91)90251-y
OpenAlex
W2039091321
Cited by
109
References
18
Citations by year
2025: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 1
FWCI
2.29
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (2p01ns020486-04)
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (2-PO1-NS20486)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Sensory Systems › Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Sensory Systems › Ion Channels and Receptors
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Nasal Surgery and Airway Studies
Keywords
vomeronasal organ, ultrastructure, vomeronasal epithelium, dark cells, light cells, frequency of occurrence, nasal septum, olfaction
MeSH terms
Adult, Chemoreceptor Cells, Female, Humans, Male, Microscopy, Electron, Microscopy, Electron, Scanning, Nasal Septum, Olfactory Pathways

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