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Related Concept Videos

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...
Olfaction01:25

Olfaction

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The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
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Related Experiment Video

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Studying the Effects of Inhaled Environmental Pollutants on Olfactory Function in Mice
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Published on: September 13, 2024

The effect of smoking on the olfactory function.

Michael Katotomichelakis1, Dimitrios Balatsouras, Gregory Tripsianis

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.

Rhinology
|December 19, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Cigarette smoking significantly impairs olfactory function, including odour threshold, discrimination, and identification. Smokers are nearly six times more likely to experience olfactory deficits compared to non-smokers.

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Published on: June 15, 2015

Area of Science:

  • Otorhinolaryngology
  • Neuroscience
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The impact of smoking on olfactory function remains incompletely understood despite its prevalence.
  • Olfactory dysfunction can significantly affect quality of life and safety (e.g., detecting gas leaks).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between cigarette smoking and olfactory abilities.
  • To quantify the dose-dependent relationship between smoking and olfactory performance.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the "Sniffin' Sticks" test to assess olfactory threshold (OT), discrimination (OD), and identification (OI) in 65 smokers and 49 non-smokers.
  • Calculated a composite threshold-discrimination-identification (TDI) score.
  • Employed multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses, controlling for age and gender.

Main Results:

  • Smokers exhibited significantly lower OT, OD, OI, and TDI scores compared to non-smokers.
  • Smoking was identified as a strong, independent risk factor for reduced olfactory function.
  • A dose-response relationship was observed: increased smoking (pack-years) correlated with poorer olfactory scores.

Conclusions:

  • Cigarette smoking adversely affects olfactory ability in a dose-dependent manner.
  • Smokers demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of olfactory deficits.
  • Findings underscore the detrimental impact of smoking on sensory perception.