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Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure

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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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Updated: May 31, 2026

An Effective Manual Deboning Method To Prepare Intact Mouse Nasal Tissue With Preserved Anatomical Organization

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Published on: August 10, 2013

Nasal polyps do not contain olfactory structures.

M F Bhutta¹, S Al-Shaikh, M Latif

¹Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, United Kingdom. m.bhutta@doctors.org.uk

|July 12, 2011

Summary

Nasal polyps medial to the middle turbinate do not contain olfactory neurons. This finding suggests that surgical removal of these polyps is safe and not contraindicated for preserving the sense of smell.

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Published on: September 10, 2016

Area of Science:

Otolaryngology
Neuroscience
Pathology

Background:

Nasal polyposis can cause olfactory dysfunction through physical obstruction or neuroepithelial disruption.
Surgical intervention for nasal polyposis is considered when medical therapies fail.
The surgical removal of polyps medial to the middle turbinate is debated due to potential risks to olfactory neuroepithelium.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the presence of olfactory neurons in nasal polyps located medial to the middle turbinate.
To determine if surgical excision of these specific polyps poses a risk to olfactory function.

Main Methods:

Nasal polypectomy samples from the area medial to the middle turbinate were collected (n=25).
Tissue samples were stained using olfactory marker protein (OMP) to identify olfactory neurons.
The staining method was validated on normal olfactory tissue.

Main Results:

The staining method successfully identified olfactory neurons in normal olfactory tissue.
No positive staining for olfactory marker protein was observed in the nasal polyp samples.
This indicates an absence of olfactory neurons within the studied nasal polyps.

Conclusions:

Nasal polyps located medial to the middle turbinate do not contain olfactory neurons.
Surgical excision of nasal polyps in this region is not contraindicated based on the absence of olfactory neurons.
These findings support the safety of surgical intervention for nasal polyposis without compromising olfactory function.