Vomeronasal
/ˌvoʊməroʊˈneɪzəl/noun
Relating to the vomeronasal organ, a sensory structure associated with chemical detection in the nasal region.
Did you know?The vomeronasal organ is named for the vomer bone, whose Latin name meant “plowshare” because of its blade-like shape, while its proposed role in detecting pheromonal signals has fueled centuries of speculation about hidden chemical communication.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*nas-
“Nose; the projecting organ of the face”
Classical Latin
Latin
nāsus
“Nose”
Classical Latin
Latin
vōmer
“Plowshare; the blade-shaped bone or structure”
17th Century
New Latin
vomer
“The plowshare-shaped bone forming part of the nasal septum”
19th Century
Scientific English
vomeronasal
“Relating to the vomer and the nose”
Modern English
English
vomeronasal
“Relating especially to the vomeronasal organ, also called Jacobson’s organ”