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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
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...
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.
False Memories01:18

False Memories

False memories represent a cognitive distortion in which individuals recall events that did not happen, or remember them in an altered form. This phenomenon highlights the brain's constructive nature in processing and recalling memories, emphasizing that memory is not a perfect representation of past events but rather a dynamic reconstruction influenced by various factors.
One primary source of false memories is misattribution, where individuals incorrectly associate external information with...
Auditory Pathway01:15

Auditory Pathway

Auditory pathways constitute the complex neural circuits responsible for transmitting and interpreting auditory information from the peripheral auditory system to the brain. Sound waves are initially captured by the outer ear, funneled through the ear canal, and reach the tympanic membrane (eardrum). These vibrations are transmitted via the middle ear's ossicles to the inner ear's cochlea.
When viewed cross-sectionally, the cochlea reveals the scala vestibuli and scala tympani flanking the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2026

A Free-breathing fMRI Method to Study Human Olfactory Function
10:42

A Free-breathing fMRI Method to Study Human Olfactory Function

Published on: July 30, 2017

Olfactory illusions: where are they?

Richard J Stevenson1

  • 1Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney NSW 2109, Australia. dick.stevenson@mq.edu.au

Consciousness and Cognition
|June 10, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Olfactory illusions, or smell illusions, occur when the same smell stimulus yields different perceptions or different smells produce identical perceptions. These illusions are often unrecognized due to limited awareness and knowledge.

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Last Updated: Jun 1, 2026

A Free-breathing fMRI Method to Study Human Olfactory Function
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Published on: July 30, 2017

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Sensory Perception
  • Olfaction

Background:

  • The existence of olfactory illusions has been debated.
  • Previous research has not fully addressed the subjective awareness of olfactory illusions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the claim that olfactory illusions do not exist.
  • To demonstrate the occurrence of olfactory illusions by reviewing empirical literature.
  • To explore the reasons behind the lack of awareness accompanying olfactory illusions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of empirical literature on olfactory perception.
  • Analysis of instances where identical stimuli produce different percepts.
  • Analysis of instances where different stimuli produce identical percepts.
  • Evaluation of evidence for olfactory illusions.
  • Discussion of mechanisms contributing to unawareness of olfactory illusions.

Main Results:

  • Empirical evidence supports the occurrence of olfactory illusions.
  • Olfactory illusions are often not accompanied by an awareness of their illusory nature.
  • Mechanisms contributing to unawareness include verification difficulties, limited olfactory knowledge, change blindness, and restricted consciousness.

Conclusions:

  • Olfactory illusions are a genuine phenomenon.
  • The lack of awareness is a key factor in the debate about their existence.
  • Understanding the mechanisms of unawareness is crucial for a complete understanding of olfactory perception.