Electron Microscopic and Functional Aspects of the Human Vomeronasal Organ
Abstract
The vomeronasal organ or Jacobson's organ is essential for pheromone detection and reproductive behavior in most mammals. The purpose of this article is to describe the fine structure of the adult human vomeronasal organ in 14 specimens and to discuss functional aspects. Our studies show a duct-like invagination of the epithelium, surrounded by numerous exocrine glands with short ducts; their fine structure suggests serous secretion. In the depth of the invagination, pseudostratified columnar epithelial cells are seen, with plump processes, kinocilia, and microvilli at the apical cell membrane. There are several cell types that differ regarding their organelles and electron density; the light sensory cells exhibit neurofilaments. Underneath the typical basement membrane, in the very vascular lamina propria, numerous myelinated and unmyelinated axons are present. These morphologic findings, which are unique in the human body, suggest that a chemosensory epithelium corresponding to a vomeronasal organ may exist. Its central connections and the possible functional significance for pheromone detection are unknown. Preservation of the vomeronasal organ in endonasal surgery could become important both clinically and medicolegally, should function be demonstrated in humans.
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There are axons within the human VNO and Schwann cell-wrapped bundles of axons underlying it, so it is somewhat surprising that Trotier et al. did not find S100 expression close to the VNO.
“There are axons within the human VNO and Schwann cell-wrapped bundles of axons underlying it (Stensaas et al., 1991;Jahnke and Merker, 2000), so it is somewhat surprising that Trotier et al. did not find S100 expression close to the VNO (Trotier et al., 2000).”
From Human Vomeronasal Organ Function: A Critical Review of Best and Worst Cases (2001) · cites this paper as Jahnke and Merker, 2000
Cites
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“Aggregates of unmyelinated axons in the subepithelial mucosa are described but neither the cells of origin nor their terminations are indicated (Jahnke and Merker, 2000; Stensaas et al., 1991) .”
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- Authors
- Jahnke, V., & Merker, H.-J.
- Affiliations
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (DE)
- Venue
- American Journal of Rhinology
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2000-01
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 63-68
- ISSN
- 1050-6586 (ISSN-L)
- 1539-6290
- OpenAlex
- W1983217600
- Cited by
- 27
- References
- 8
- Citations by year
- 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 1.41
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- American Journal of Rhinology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Sensory Systems › Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Head and Neck Surgical Oncology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Nasal Surgery and Airway Studies
- Keywords
- vomeronasal organ, pheromone detection, exocrine glands, kinocilia, microvilli, neurofilaments, lamina propria, myelinated and unmyelinated axons, endonasal surgery
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Female, Humans, Male, Microscopy, Electron, Middle Aged, Pheromones, Sexual Behavior, Vomeronasal Organ
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