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==Overview==

==Overview==

The vomeronasal organ is also known as the olfactory organ, or the Jacobson's organ. It is an olfactory sense organ that is found in most animals. It is positioned at the base of the nasal cavity, within the roof of the mouth, and is separated into two parts by the nasal septum. It is situated close to the vomer and nasal bones, hence the name vomeronasal organ. It is contained within a bony capsule which opens into the base of the nasal cavity, and is lined with olfactory mucosa. The vomeronasal organ contains sensory chemoreceptors, and is involved in the first processing step of the accessory olfactory system. The vomeronasal organ carries information via the '''olfactory nerve''' ([[Cranial Nerves - Anatomy & Physiology|CN I]]), which travels through the cribrifrom plate, to the accessory olfactory bulb (the vomeronasal bulb), and then to the hypothalamus. The sensory receptors are found on the medial inner surface of the vomeronasal organ. The lateral inner surface is covered with sensory cilia. Basal cells are also found in this region. The dorsal and ventral inner surfaces of the vomeronasal organ comprise the vomeronasal glands, which function to fill the organ with fluid.

The vomeronasal organ is also known as the '''olfactory organ''', or the '''Jacobson's organ'''. It is an olfactory sense organ that is found in most animals. It is positioned at the base of the nasal cavity, within the roof of the mouth, and is separated into two parts by the nasal septum. It is situated close to the vomer and nasal bones, hence the name vomeronasal organ. It is contained within a bony capsule which opens into the base of the nasal cavity, and is lined with olfactory mucosa. The vomeronasal organ contains sensory chemoreceptors, and is involved in the first processing step of the accessory olfactory system. The vomeronasal organ carries information via the '''olfactory nerve''' ([[Cranial Nerves - Anatomy & Physiology|CN I]]), which travels through the cribriform plate, to the accessory olfactory bulb (the vomeronasal bulb), and then to the hypothalamus. The sensory receptors are found on the medial inner surface of the vomeronasal organ. The lateral inner surface is covered with sensory cilia. Basal cells are also found in this region. The dorsal and ventral inner surfaces of the vomeronasal organ comprise the vomeronasal glands, which function to fill the organ with fluid.

==Function==

==Function==

The function of the vomeronasal organ is carried out by the sensory chemoreceptors. They can detect specific chemical compounds, including pheromones (although pheromones can also be detected by the normal olfactory pathway). As the information that is picked up by the vomeronasal organ is sent to the accessory olfactory bulb and then the hypothalamus, as opposed to the olfactory bulb and then the cerbral cortex, this may explain why some specific chemical compounds within scents may induce aggressive or mating behaviour.

The function of the vomeronasal organ is carried out by the sensory chemoreceptors. They can detect specific chemical compounds, including pheromones (although pheromones can also be detected by the normal olfactory pathway). As the information that is picked up by the vomeronasal organ is sent to the accessory olfactory bulb and then the hypothalamus, as opposed to the olfactory bulb and then the cerebral cortex, this may explain why some specific chemical compounds within scents may induce aggressive or mating behaviour.

[[Category:Respiratory System - Anatomy & Physiology]]

[[Category:Respiratory System - Anatomy & Physiology]]

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