SEARCHING FOR THE VOMERONASAL ORGAN OF ADULT HUMANS - PRELIMINARY FINDINGS ON LOCATION, STRUCTURE, AND SIZE

The adult human vomeronasal organ (VNO) has been the focus of numerous recent investigations, yet its developmental continuity from the huma n fetal VNO is poorly understood. The present study compared new data on the adult human ''VNO'' with previous findings on the fetal human V NO. Nasal septa were removed from twelve adult human cadavers and each specimen was histologically sectioned. Coronal sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid-Schiff-hematoxylin. The secti ons were examined by light microscopy for the presence of VNOs and the anterior paraseptal cartilages (PC). VNOs were quantified using a com puter reconstruction technique to obtain VNO length, volume, and vomer onasal epithelium (VNE) volume. Histologically, VNOs and PCs were iden tified in eleven specimens. VNOs had ciliated, pseudostratified column ar epithelium with goblet cells. Variations (e.g., multiple communicat ions to the nasal cavity) were observed in several specimens. Quantifi cation was possible for 16 right or left. VNOs. Right or left VNOs ran ged from 3.5 to 11.8 mm in length, from 1.8 to 33.8 x 10(-4) cc in vol ume, and from 2.7 to 18.1 x 10(-4) cc in VNE volume. Results indicated that the adult human VNO was similar in VNE morphology, lumen shape, and spatial relationships when compared to human fetal VNOs. By compar ison with previous fetal VNO measures, mean VNO length, volume, and VN E volume were larger in adult humans. These results support previous s uggestions that postnatal VNO growth occurs. Findings on location and spatial relationships of the adult VNO were similar to those seen in h uman fetuses, but critical questions remain regarding the ontogeny of the vomeronasal nerves and VNE. Microsc. Res. Tech. 41:483-491, 1998. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.