Where the vomer sits in the skeleton

The vomer is a thin upright bone in the middle of the nasal cavity, forming the lower back part of the nasal septum. It is one of the bones of the skull and hyoid. It meets the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid above and, with the septal cartilage in front, forms the nasal septum. Its name comes from its ploughshare shape.

Frequently asked questions

Which part of the skeleton is the vomer in?

The vomer is one of the bones of the skull and hyoid. This group covers the bones that enclose the brain, the bones that frame the face, and the hyoid at the front of the neck.

How many bones are in the skull?

The skull has 22 bones: eight cranial bones that enclose the brain and fourteen facial bones that frame the face. The hyoid in the front of the neck is a separate bone that forms no joint with any other bone.

Is there one vomer or a pair?

There is just one vomer, on the midline of the body.

What forms the nasal septum?

The perpendicular plate of the ethmoid above, the vomer below and behind, and the septal cartilage in front.

Other bones of the skull and hyoid

Bone counts

By region

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Related reading

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