The
vomeronasal organ or
Jacobson's organ is an auxiliary
olfactory sense organ in many
vertebrates. It is located in the vomer, between the nose and the mouth. The sensory
neurons within the vomeronasal organ detect distinct
chemical compounds, usually chemical signals within the same
species.
Snakes use it to smell prey, sticking their
tongue out and touching it to the organ. Some mammals make a face called
flehmen[?] to direct air to this organ, which detects
pheromones.
In humans it is subliminal, and there seems to be no direct neural connection between the organ and the brain.
- See also : Nepetalactone
- Neuroscience Program FSU (http://athena.neuro.fsu.edu/research/vomeronasal/extendedText.htm)