What does vomer mean?
The vomer is a thin, flat, centrally positioned bone in the skull. It forms the lower and posterior portion of the bony nasal septum, the structure that divides the nasal cavity into right and left halves. Although the septum contains several components, the vomer supplies much of its firm lower support, while cartilage occupies the front and other skull bones contribute near the top. Anatomists recognize the vomer by its central position and its articulations with neighboring bones, including the sphenoid, ethmoid, palatine, and maxilla. The word is uncommon outside medical and comparative-anatomical contexts, but it is useful when describing the skeleton in precise detail. Its unusual history also rewards attention: the name comes from the Latin word for a ploughshare, traditionally explained as a comparison between the bone's shape and that agricultural implement. In such cases, an ordinary object supplies the memorable key to a technical term.
nounA thin, flat bone in the midline of the skull that forms the lower and posterior part of the bony nasal septum, helping to separate the right and left nasal cavities.
- The thin median bone forming the posteroinferior part of the bony nasal septum.
"The vomer forms much of the bony support of the nasal septum."
"The vomer was carefully exposed during the endoscopic procedure."
"A fracture of the vomer can obstruct the nasal passage."
The plural is vomers, but the singular is normally preferred when referring to the bone in an individual person.
"The vomers were compared in the anatomical study."
The vomer is a bone named for a ploughshare—an early reminder that anatomy often preserves the shape of everyday tools.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of vomer
The word vomer derives from Latin vomer, meaning “ploughshare.” Its use for the nasal bone is traditionally explained by the bone's resemblance to the blade of a ploughshare. Related forms appear in other Romance and European anatomical terminologies, including Italian vomere and Spanish vómer.
Related word forms
How vomer is actually used
This is a specialized anatomical term used in medicine, dentistry, and comparative anatomy. English usually uses the singular when discussing the bone in an individual person, and it is uncommon in general speech.