Imaging of the human vomeronasal duct

The human vomeronasal duct (VND) is described as a tubular or pouch-like mu cosal invagination of the anterior nasal septum. This study investigated sh ape, size and orientation of the VND using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) . Fifteen subjects participated (eight women, seven men; mean age 39 years, age range 18-66 years); they had been pre-selected with regard to the pres ence of a VND opening of mm. MRI was performed before and after application of diluted gadolinium-diethylene-triamino-penta-acetic actetate (Gd-DTPA) into the left or rig ht VND. A tubular structure was found in 12 subjects w ith a median length of 7 mm (range 3-22 mm; one VND with a length 47 mm). I n three subjects a nearly circular, pouch-like structure was observed. Seve n of the tubular VNDs were slightly bent upwards, the other five VNDs ran p arallel to the floor of the nasal cavity. There was no significant gender-r elated difference in the length of VNDs. These data indicate considerable v ariability of shape, size and orientation of the human VND.