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Olfaction

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...

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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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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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The Olfactory System as a Model to Study Axonal Growth Patterns and Morphology In Vivo

The Olfactory System as a Model to Study Axonal Growth Patterns and Morphology In Vivo

Published on: October 30, 2014

Long-range intracortical excitation shapes olfactory processing.

¹National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China; School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China. luominmin@nibs.ac.cn

|October 11, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study reveals key features of long-range intracortical connections in the piriform cortex, highlighting their significant role in olfactory processing and sensory information integration.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Olfactory System Research

Background:

The piriform cortex is known for dense intracortical connections.
Understanding these connections is crucial for olfactory processing.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the features of long-range intracortical connections in the piriform cortex.
To elucidate the physiological roles of these connections in olfactory processing.

Main Methods:

Electrophysiological recordings in the piriform cortex.
Anatomical tracing of neural pathways.

Main Results:

Detailed characterization of long-range intracortical connection properties.
Demonstration of the functional impact of these connections on olfactory information flow.

Conclusions:

Long-range intracortical connections in the piriform cortex possess unique features.
These connections play a vital role in shaping olfactory perception and processing.