Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Olfaction01:25

Olfaction

The sense of smell is achieved through the activities of the olfactory system. It starts when an airborne odorant enters the nasal cavity and reaches olfactory epithelium (OE). The OE is protected by a thin layer of mucus, which also serves the purpose of dissolving more complex compounds into simpler chemical odorants. The size of the OE and the density of sensory neurons varies among species; in humans, the OE is only about 9-10 cm2.
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
Biological Effects of Radiation02:59

Biological Effects of Radiation

All radioactive nuclides emit high-energy particles or electromagnetic waves. When this radiation encounters living cells, it can cause heating, break chemical bonds, or ionize molecules. The most serious biological damage results when these radioactive emissions fragment or ionize molecules. For example, α and β particles emitted from nuclear decay reactions possess much higher energies than ordinary chemical bond energies. When these particles strike and penetrate matter, they produce ions...
Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure01:03

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure

The process of olfaction, also known as the sense of smell, is a sophisticated chemical response system. The specialized sensory neurons that facilitate this process, known as olfactory receptor neurons, are situated in an upper segment of the nasal cavity, known as the olfactory epithelium. Olfactory sensory neurons are bipolar, with their dendrites extending from the epithelium's apex into the mucus that lines the nasal cavity. Airborne molecules, when inhaled, traverse the olfactory...
Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway01:20

Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway

Humans detect odors with the help of specialized cells located in the upper part of the nasal cavity, called olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). ORNs possess hair-like structures called cilia, which are receptive to sensations from the inhaled air. When an odorant molecule binds to a specific receptor on the cell of the cilia, it leads to a series of events that ultimately cause the ORN to send electrical signals to the olfactory bulb in the brain through the olfactory nerves.
The olfactory...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists01:27

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists

5-HT3 receptor antagonists, such as dolasetron, granisetron (Kytril), ondansetron (Zofran), and palonosetron (Axoli), are crucial in managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) and postoperative nausea. These drugs selectively block 5-HT3 receptors in the visceral vagal and spinal afferent nerves, chemoreceptor trigger zone, and the vomiting center. They have a rapid onset of action and can be given as a single dose before chemotherapy. Ondansetron and granisetron, in particular,...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids01:21

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a phytocannabinoid that primarily interacts with the CB1 receptor, a type of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) predominantly in and around the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) and emetic center. THC also blocks the serotonin receptor activity in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) by inhibiting serotonin release. THC exerts its anti-emetic effects through these interactions, which are beneficial for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Robotics Is Not Important Because It Is Robotic: Re: Jeremy Y. Teoh, Francesco M. Bracco, Julius H. Wong, et al. A Novel Transurethral Robotic Platform for Performing En Bloc Resection of Bladder Tumour: Results from the First Phase of the VIABLE Trial. Eur Urol Oncol 2026;86:111-15.

European urology oncology·2026
Same author

De-escalation of adjuvant radio(chemo)therapy for patients with HPV-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: study protocol for a phase I trial to reduce late toxicity (DELPHI).

BMC cancer·2026
Same author

Endoscopic enucleation of the prostate made practical: lessons from experts from the BEAM25 meeting.

World journal of urology·2026
Same author

Frequency and indications for double-J stenting in endourology: a review by the EAU section of endourology.

World journal of urology·2026
Same author

Ureteral stents are a boon in endourology: we still need them.

World journal of urology·2026
Same author

Influence of intraoperative tranexamic acid on bleeding outcomes in patients receiving antithrombotic therapy undergoing endoscopic enucleation of the prostate: a multicenter prospective study by the endourology section of EAU.

World journal of urology·2026
Same journal

Pre-treatment PSQA - Do we still need to measure and what are adequate alternatives?

Radiotherapy and oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology·2026
Same journal

Dosimetric verification of every treatment plan: Do or not to do?

Radiotherapy and oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology·2026
Same journal

Pre-treatment PSQA - Do we still need to measure and what are adequate alternatives?

Radiotherapy and oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology·2026
Same journal

Pre-treatment PSQA - Do we still need to measure and what are adequate alternatives? Optimizing PSQA in radiotherapy workflows through commissioning and standardized treatment planning with class solutions.

Radiotherapy and oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology·2026
Same journal

Pre-treatment PSQA - Do we still need to measure and what are adequate alternatives?

Radiotherapy and oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology·2026
Same journal

How to focal boost in prostate cancer radiotherapy: ESTRO clinical practice consensus recommendations.

Radiotherapy and oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Quantifying Cognitive Decrements Caused by Cranial Radiotherapy
10:10

Quantifying Cognitive Decrements Caused by Cranial Radiotherapy

Published on: October 18, 2011

Effects of radiotherapy on olfactory function.

Tobias Hölscher1, Annedore Seibt, Steffen Appold

  • 1Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, University of Technology, Dresden, Germany.

Radiotherapy and Oncology : Journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology
|October 18, 2005
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Head and neck radiation therapy can impair olfactory function, particularly odour discrimination. While the olfactory epithelium shows resistance, higher radiation doses may affect central olfactory pathways, impacting smell over time.

More Related Videos

Murine Salivary Functional Assessment via Pilocarpine Stimulation Following Fractionated Radiation
09:10

Murine Salivary Functional Assessment via Pilocarpine Stimulation Following Fractionated Radiation

Published on: May 4, 2018

Studying the Effects of Inhaled Environmental Pollutants on Olfactory Function in Mice
04:00

Studying the Effects of Inhaled Environmental Pollutants on Olfactory Function in Mice

Published on: September 13, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Quantifying Cognitive Decrements Caused by Cranial Radiotherapy
10:10

Quantifying Cognitive Decrements Caused by Cranial Radiotherapy

Published on: October 18, 2011

Murine Salivary Functional Assessment via Pilocarpine Stimulation Following Fractionated Radiation
09:10

Murine Salivary Functional Assessment via Pilocarpine Stimulation Following Fractionated Radiation

Published on: May 4, 2018

Studying the Effects of Inhaled Environmental Pollutants on Olfactory Function in Mice
04:00

Studying the Effects of Inhaled Environmental Pollutants on Olfactory Function in Mice

Published on: September 13, 2024

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Radiation Oncology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Olfactory dysfunction is a known side effect of high-dose radiation to the olfactory epithelium.
  • Head and neck tumors often require radiotherapy, potentially affecting smell.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the severity and time course of olfactory function changes in patients undergoing head and neck radiotherapy.
  • To assess the impact of radiation dose to the olfactory epithelium on smell perception.

Main Methods:

  • 44 patients receiving radiotherapy for head and neck tumors were assessed for olfactory function (identification, discrimination, thresholds) before and during treatment.
  • Patients were divided into high-dose (OLF group, median 62.2 Gy) and low-dose (non-OLF group, median 5.9 Gy) to the olfactory epithelium.
  • A subgroup was followed for 12 months post-treatment.

Main Results:

  • Odour discrimination significantly decreased 2-6 weeks after therapy initiation in the high-dose group.
  • Higher radiation doses correlated with decreased odour discrimination.
  • Long-term follow-up showed significantly lower odour identification scores in the high-dose group compared to the low-dose group.

Conclusions:

  • The olfactory epithelium appears relatively resistant to radiation effects, as evidenced by stable olfactory thresholds.
  • Radiation therapy may impact central olfactory pathways (olfactory bulb/orbitofrontal cortex), leading to altered suprathreshold olfactory function.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms behind radiation-induced olfactory changes.