A review of the vomeronasal organ in humans: an enigmatic sensory structure

Ashraf Al-kalbani; Gabriela Musat

doi:10.2478/rjr-2025-0017

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A review of the vomeronasal organ in humans: an enigmatic sensory structure

Romanian Journal of Rhinology

Volume 15 (2025): Issue 59 (July 2025)

By: Ashraf Al-kalbani and Gabriela Musat

Open Access

|Aug 2025

Abstract

The vomeronasal organ (VNO), sometimes known as Jacobson’s organ, is a vestigial anatomical feature in humans whose function and evolutionary relevance remain controversial. While clearly defined and functional in many vertebrates—notably for pheromone detection and behavioural regulation—its role in humans is ambiguous. This review consolidates current morphological, histological, neurological and clinical findings about the VNO, while emphasising developmental trends and population-specific data. Drawing on historical studies, molecular biology and comparative anatomy, we aim to offer a comprehensive perspective on the VNO’s presence and potential roles in human biology.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/rjr-2025-0017 | Journal eISSN: 2393-3356 | Journal ISSN: 2069-6523

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Language: English

Page range: 111 - 114

Submitted on: Mar 30, 2025

Accepted on: May 2, 2025

Published on: Aug 12, 2025

Published by: Romanian Rhinologic Society

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

Keywords:

Related subjects:

Clinical medicine, other,

Surgery,

Surgery, other,

Otorhinolaryngology,

Speech, voice and paediatric hearing disorders,

Oromaxillofacial surgery

© 2025 Ashraf Al-kalbani, Gabriela Musat, published by Romanian Rhinologic Society
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Volume 15 (2025): Issue 59 (July 2025)