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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...
Sputum Studies II: Culture and Sensitivity01:20

Sputum Studies II: Culture and Sensitivity

Description
Sputum culture and sensitivity is a medical procedure used to diagnose bacterial infections in the respiratory tract and select the most appropriate antibiotics for treatment. This process involves analyzing sputum samples of thick and opaque secretions produced in the lungs and airways. These samples are collected from patients and then sent to the laboratory for analysis.
The test can identify various pathogens responsible for respiratory infections, including Streptococcus,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Studying the Effects of Inhaled Environmental Pollutants on Olfactory Function in Mice
04:00

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Published on: September 13, 2024

Post-infectious olfactory loss: a cohort study and update.

P Rombaux1, S Martinage, C Huart

  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium. philippe.rombaux@uclouvain.be

B-ENT
|January 21, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Post-infectious olfactory loss, often following upper respiratory infections, significantly impacts smell function. While recovery is possible for one-third of patients, there is currently no definitive medical treatment.

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Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Neuroscience
  • Olfactory Research

Background:

  • Post-infectious olfactory loss is a common olfactory dysfunction following upper respiratory tract infections.
  • It often presents with moderate to severe quantitative deficits and qualitative disorders like parosmia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To update knowledge on the pathophysiology, clinical management, and prognosis of post-infectious olfactory loss.
  • To analyze the clinical characteristics of a cohort of 122 patients with this condition.

Main Methods:

  • Patient history and clinical examination to rule out inflammatory disease.
  • Quantitative olfactory function testing (orthonasal and retronasal).
  • Chemosensory event-related potentials and olfactory bulb volume measurements.

Main Results:

  • The patient cohort consisted of middle-aged women (mean age 53.9, sex ratio 2.4).
  • Parosmia (47.5%) and phantosmia (18%) were common qualitative symptoms.
  • Hyposmia (64.7%) was more prevalent than anosmia (35.3%); 18 patients experienced recurrent episodes.
  • Olfactory bulb volume correlated with psychophysical testing and event-related potentials.

Conclusions:

  • No proven medical therapy exists for post-infectious olfactory loss.
  • Clinical evaluation is crucial for patient counseling regarding prognosis.
  • Approximately one-third of patients may experience recovery.