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Olfaction

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...

Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway

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...

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure

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...

Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex

Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex

The cerebral cortex, the brain's outermost layer, is pivotal in processing complex cognitive tasks, emotions, and various sensory inputs and executing voluntary motor activities. This intricate structure is divided into three primary functional areas: the motor areas, sensory areas, and association areas.
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex.

Auditory Pathway

Auditory Pathway

Auditory pathways constitute the complex neural circuits responsible for transmitting and interpreting auditory information from the peripheral auditory system to the brain. Sound waves are initially captured by the outer ear, funneled through the ear canal, and reach the tympanic membrane (eardrum). These vibrations are transmitted via the middle ear's ossicles to the inner ear's cochlea.
When viewed cross-sectionally, the cochlea reveals the scala vestibuli and scala tympani flanking the...

Association Areas of the Cortex

Association Areas of the Cortex

Association areas are regions of the cerebral cortex that do not have a specific sensory or motor function. Instead, they integrate and interpret information from various sources to enable higher cognitive processes such as memory, learning, and decision-making. Some key association areas include the following:
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

The Olfactory System as a Model to Study Axonal Growth Patterns and Morphology In Vivo

The Olfactory System as a Model to Study Axonal Growth Patterns and Morphology In Vivo

Published on: October 30, 2014

Early telencephalic migration topographically converging in the olfactory cortex.

Fernando García-Moreno¹, Laura López-Mascaraque, Juan A de Carlos

¹Instituto Cajal (CSIC), Avenida del Dr Arce 37, Madrid 28002, Spain.

Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)

|September 20, 2007

Summary

Mouse olfactory neurons originate from diverse telencephalic areas. These neurons migrate along specific routes to populate the olfactory cortex (OC), forming a topographic map.

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Last Updated: Jul 11, 2026

The Olfactory System as a Model to Study Axonal Growth Patterns and Morphology In Vivo

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Published on: October 30, 2014

Visualization of Thalamocortical Axon Branching and Synapse Formation in Organotypic Cocultures

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Published on: March 28, 2018

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Developmental Biology
Neuroanatomy

Background:

The olfactory system's development involves complex neuronal migration.
Understanding the origins and paths of olfactory neurons is crucial for mapping brain development.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify the multiple origins of olfactory neurons in the developing mouse telencephalon.
To trace the migratory routes of these neuronal populations into the olfactory cortex (OC).

Main Methods:

Utilized tracer injection techniques in developing mouse embryos.
Employed in toto embryo culture to observe neuronal migration patterns.

Main Results:

Identified distinct telencephalic origins for olfactory neurons, including the lateral ganglionic eminence (LGE) and rostromedial telencephalic wall.
Documented diverse tangential migratory routes towards the olfactory bulb (OB), olfactory tubercle (OT), and piriform cortex (PC).
Demonstrated that each neuronal population follows a specific path, contributing to a topographic organization of the OC.

Conclusions:

The olfactory cortex is colonized by neurons from multiple, distinct telencephalic sources.
Neuronal migration follows precise routes, establishing a topographic map within the olfactory system.
This study elucidates the complex developmental origins and migration strategies of olfactory neurons.