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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

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...
Taste Buds and Receptors01:20

Taste Buds and Receptors

Gustation, or the sense of taste, is intrinsically linked to the anatomical structures located on the tongue. This organ's surface, along with the entirety of the oral cavity, is adorned with stratified squamous epithelium. Evident on the tongue are elevated structures known as papillae (singular = papilla), which house the mechanisms for the transduction of gustatory stimuli. Four distinct types of papillae exist, each identified by their unique morphological attributes: the circumvallate,...
Disorders of the Nervous Tissue01:28

Disorders of the Nervous Tissue

Nervous tissue is a vital component of the human body's communication system, enabling us to perceive and respond to stimuli. However, like all other tissues, it is vulnerable to disorders and diseases that can significantly impact our neurological functioning.
Homeostatic Imbalances:
Alzheimer's disease manifests as a gradual decline in memory and cognitive abilities, attributed to the buildup of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain.
Parkinson's disease arises from the...
Introduction to Special Senses01:26

Introduction to Special Senses

Sensory receptors play an integral part in comprehending our external and internal environments. They receive diverse stimuli, converting them into the nervous system's electrochemical signals. This conversion occurs as the stimulus alters the sensory neuron's cell membrane potential, instigating the generation of an action potential. This action potential is subsequently transmitted to the central nervous system (CNS), which integrates with other sensory data or higher cognitive functions.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Olfactory Neurons Obtained through Nasal Biopsy Combined with Laser-Capture Microdissection: A Potential Approach to Study Treatment Response in Mental Disorders
08:33

Olfactory Neurons Obtained through Nasal Biopsy Combined with Laser-Capture Microdissection: A Potential Approach to Study Treatment Response in Mental Disorders

Published on: December 4, 2014

The olfactory system and its disorders.

Richard L Doty1

  • 1Smell and Taste Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA. doty@mail.med.upenn.edu

Seminars in Neurology
|February 14, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The sense of smell is vital for detecting environmental hazards and food quality. Smell dysfunction can be an early indicator of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

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Whole Mount Labeling of Cilia in the Main Olfactory System of Mice
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Whole Mount Labeling of Cilia in the Main Olfactory System of Mice

Published on: December 27, 2014

Olfactory Assays for Mouse Models of Neurodegenerative Disease
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Olfactory Assays for Mouse Models of Neurodegenerative Disease

Published on: August 25, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Olfactory Neurons Obtained through Nasal Biopsy Combined with Laser-Capture Microdissection: A Potential Approach to Study Treatment Response in Mental Disorders
08:33

Olfactory Neurons Obtained through Nasal Biopsy Combined with Laser-Capture Microdissection: A Potential Approach to Study Treatment Response in Mental Disorders

Published on: December 4, 2014

Whole Mount Labeling of Cilia in the Main Olfactory System of Mice
08:42

Whole Mount Labeling of Cilia in the Main Olfactory System of Mice

Published on: December 27, 2014

Olfactory Assays for Mouse Models of Neurodegenerative Disease
07:27

Olfactory Assays for Mouse Models of Neurodegenerative Disease

Published on: August 25, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Sensory Systems Biology

Background:

  • The sense of smell (olfaction) is crucial for survival, detecting environmental threats and influencing food palatability.
  • Olfaction plays a role in communication, particularly in mother-infant bonding.
  • Smell dysfunction is increasingly recognized as an early clinical sign of neurodegenerative conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the anatomy and physiology of the olfactory system.
  • To discuss methods for assessing olfactory function.
  • To highlight the association between smell disorders and major diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on olfactory anatomy, physiology, and clinical assessment.
  • Synthesis of information regarding olfactory dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases.

Main Results:

  • Detailed overview of the olfactory sensory pathway and its neural processing.
  • Description of various clinical tests used to evaluate smell function.
  • Evidence linking olfactory deficits to Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease progression.

Conclusions:

  • The olfactory system is an underappreciated sensory modality with significant implications for health and well-being.
  • Assessment of smell function can provide valuable diagnostic insights for neurodegenerative diseases.
  • Further research into olfaction is warranted due to its broad impact on human health.