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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...

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...

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 29, 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

[Research progress of the olfactory neural system recognition model].

Qianqian Zheng¹, Xiaomei Shen, Ping Wang

¹National Special Laboratory, Key Laboratory of BME of the Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangrhou 310027, China.

Sheng Wu Yi Xue Gong Cheng Xue Za Zhi = Journal of Biomedical Engineering = Shengwu Yixue Gongchengxue Zazhi

|April 26, 2008

Summary

This study explores the olfactory neural system, focusing on its complex spatiotemporal coding and decoding mechanisms. Understanding this system offers insights into broader sensory system functions and future research directions.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Sensory Systems Biology
Computational Neuroscience

Background:

The olfactory neural system remains largely enigmatic compared to other sensory systems.
Research into the olfactory system aids in elucidating overall sensory mechanisms.
Spatiotemporal coding is a key aspect of neural information processing.

Purpose of the Study:

To review and introduce olfactory neural system recognition models.
To focus on the spatiotemporal coding and decoding mechanisms within the olfactory system.
To present novel research findings and future prospects in olfactory system studies.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on olfactory system models.
Analysis of spatiotemporal coding and decoding strategies.
Presentation of experimental work from the authors' laboratory.

Main Results:

Identification of key challenges in olfactory system research.
Introduction of specific recognition models for olfactory processing.
Demonstration of laboratory-specific research contributions.

Conclusions:

The olfactory system presents unique research opportunities for understanding neural processing.
Spatiotemporal coding models are crucial for olfactory recognition.
Further research is needed to fully unravel the complexities of the olfactory neural system.