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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2026

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

The mouse olfactory peduncle.

Peter C Brunjes1, Rachel B Kay, J P Arrivillaga

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, USA. brunjes@virginia.edu

The Journal of Comparative Neurology
|May 28, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study details the mouse olfactory peduncle, revealing differences in cell organization and neuron characteristics compared to rats. These findings highlight species-specific variations in olfactory system anatomy.

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Ex Vivo Preparations of the Intact Vomeronasal Organ and Accessory Olfactory Bulb
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In-depth Physiological Analysis of Defined Cell Populations in Acute Tissue Slices of the Mouse Vomeronasal Organ
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In-depth Physiological Analysis of Defined Cell Populations in Acute Tissue Slices of the Mouse Vomeronasal Organ

Published on: September 10, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 1, 2026

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

Ex Vivo Preparations of the Intact Vomeronasal Organ and Accessory Olfactory Bulb
08:59

Ex Vivo Preparations of the Intact Vomeronasal Organ and Accessory Olfactory Bulb

Published on: August 4, 2014

In-depth Physiological Analysis of Defined Cell Populations in Acute Tissue Slices of the Mouse Vomeronasal Organ
10:11

In-depth Physiological Analysis of Defined Cell Populations in Acute Tissue Slices of the Mouse Vomeronasal Organ

Published on: September 10, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Olfactory System Anatomy

Background:

  • The olfactory peduncle connects the olfactory bulb to the basal forebrain.
  • Several neural areas within the olfactory peduncle are understudied.
  • Comparative analysis between mouse and rat olfactory systems is crucial for research generalization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of the olfactory peduncle in mice.
  • To compare the cellular organization and neuronal characteristics of the mouse olfactory peduncle with those of the rat.
  • To identify species-specific differences that may impact interspecies data extrapolation.

Main Methods:

  • Stereological analysis of neuron numbers in the anterior olfactory nucleus (AON) pars externa (pE) and pars principalis (pP).
  • Quantitative Golgi studies of pyramidal neurons.
  • Immunohistochemical analysis for GABAergic neuron markers (calbindin, calretinin, parvalbumin, somatostatin, VIP, NPY, CCK).
  • Electron microscopy of myelinated fibers in the lateral olfactory tract.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences in tissue organization and cell soma size between mouse and rat AON.
  • Estimated neuron counts: ~16,500 cells in mouse pE and ~58,300 cells in mouse pP.
  • Mouse pyramidal neurons are similar to but smaller than rat neurons.
  • All peduncular regions contain GABAergic neurons expressing various markers, with regional differences in cell type distribution.
  • The lateral olfactory tract shows less orderly fiber organization in mice compared to rats.

Conclusions:

  • The mouse olfactory peduncle exhibits distinct structural and cellular features compared to the rat.
  • Species-specific differences in olfactory peduncle organization necessitate caution when generalizing findings between mice and rats.
  • This study provides essential anatomical data for researchers studying the olfactory system.