vomeronasal organ

noun

vom·​ero·​na·​sal organ ˌvä-mə-rō-ˈnā-zəl- 

ˌvō-

: either of a pair of small blind pouches or tubes in many vertebrates that are situated one on either side of the nasal septum or in the buccal cavity and that are reduced to rudimentary pits in adult humans but are developed in reptiles, amphibians, and some mammals as chemoreceptors

called also Jacobson's organ

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

In this new study, published in the journal Cell, neurobiologist Lisa Stowers decided to investigate whether the vomeronasal organ was capable of picking up signals from other species as well. —Eliza Strickland, Discover Magazine, 18 May 2010

The vomeronasal organ helps cats detect minute chemical clues about their environment, including the proximity and status of other cats. —Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 25 Aug. 2014

According to his hypothesis, the women who orgasm from the smell of the mushroom are those equipped with a functioning vomeronasal organ (VNO). —Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2016

Each tip delivers to its own vomeronasal organ separately, allowing the snake’s brain to assess instantly which side has the stronger smell. —Kurt Schwenk, The Conversation, 16 June 2021

Mice and a number of vertebrates have neurons in their noses, in something called the vomeronasal organ — the VNO. —Quanta Magazine, 14 Dec. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1926, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

vomeronasal organ

noun

: either of a pair of small blind pouches or tubes in many vertebrates that are situated one on either side of the nasal septum or in the buccal cavity and that are reduced to rudimentary pits in adult humans but are developed in reptiles, amphibians, and some mammals as chemoreceptors

called also Jacobson's organ, organ of Jacobson