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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.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 20, 2026

A Lateralized Odor Learning Model in Neonatal Rats for Dissecting Neural Circuitry Underpinning Memory Formation

A Lateralized Odor Learning Model in Neonatal Rats for Dissecting Neural Circuitry Underpinning Memory Formation

Published on: August 18, 2014

A second look at the structure of human olfactory memory.

Theresa L White¹

¹Le Moyne College and State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York 13214, USA. whitetl@lemoyne.edu

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

|August 19, 2009

Summary

Human olfactory memory, like other sensory memory, appears to be a two-component system. Recent evidence supports the distinction between short-term and long-term olfactory memory, though not as separate systems.

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Last Updated: Jun 20, 2026

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cognitive Psychology
Sensory Memory

Background:

Olfactory memory architecture and its uniqueness compared to other sensory stimuli have been debated.
A previous review suggested olfactory memory is a two-component system, not qualitatively different from other memory types.

Purpose of the Study:

To reevaluate the structure of human olfactory memory.
To assess if the short-term-long-term distinction is valid for olfactory memory.
To compare olfactory memory architecture with memory for other sensory stimuli.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature and data on olfactory memory.
Analysis of evidence based on capacity, coding, and neuropsychological factors.
Consideration of serial position effects in olfactory memory.

Main Results:

The preponderance of evidence supports a short-term-long-term distinction in olfactory memory.
Olfactory memory is likely not architecturally separate from other sensory memory systems.
Recent advances in neuroscience and memory models have informed this reevaluation.

Conclusions:

The short-term-long-term dissociation remains a valuable framework for understanding olfactory memory.
Olfactory memory shares fundamental characteristics with memory systems for other sensory modalities.
Olfactory memory is conceptualized as a unitary system with distinct temporal phases.