Structures of the bovine vomeronasal complex and its relationships to the palate: tongue manipulation.

The rostral part of the bovine vomeronasal complex was examined to determine its relation structures of the palate which are compressed by the tongue during investigative sexual behavior. The rostral vomeronasal cartilage (VNC) is C-shaped and contains the incisive duct (ID). The hilus of the cartilage is directed medially, approximately 0.5 cm dorsal to the palate. Just caudal to the origin of the vomeronasal duct, the VCN lies approximately 1 cm above the palate with a ventrally oriented hilus containing the ID. Further caudally, the hilus is directed laterally, toward the nasal cavity. Palatal mucosa occupies the intervomeronasal, cartilaginous area below the nasal septum and caudal to the incisive papilla. This mucosa and the ID appear to be compressed by the bull's everted tongue, forcing fluid samples into the vomeronasal system.