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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...
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.
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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...
Taste Buds and Receptors01:20

Taste Buds and Receptors

Gustation, or the sense of taste, is intrinsically linked to the anatomical structures located on the tongue. This organ's surface, along with the entirety of the oral cavity, is adorned with stratified squamous epithelium. Evident on the tongue are elevated structures known as papillae (singular = papilla), which house the mechanisms for the transduction of gustatory stimuli. Four distinct types of papillae exist, each identified by their unique morphological attributes: the circumvallate,...
Factors Affecting Perception01:25

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Perception is influenced by perceptual set, context, motivation, and emotion. Perceptual set, or perceptual expectancy, refers to the tendency to perceive things in a particular way, influenced by previous experiences and expectations. This phenomenon affects the interpretation of stimuli, creating a set of mental tendencies and assumptions that impact sensory perceptions of sound, taste, touch, and sight.
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A Free-breathing fMRI Method to Study Human Olfactory Function
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Published on: July 30, 2017

Distorted olfactory perception: a systematic review.

Seok-Chan Hong1, Eric H Holbrook, Donald A Leopold

  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Konkuk University Hospital, Seoul, Korea. 20050692@kuh.ac.kr

Acta Oto-Laryngologica
|May 16, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Olfactory distortions, or smell disorders, impact smell intensity and quality. This review covers their clinical understanding, evaluation, and treatment options for this debilitating condition.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Otorhinolaryngology
  • Sensory Science

Background:

  • The sense of smell is crucial for environmental interaction.
  • Smell disorders manifest as reduced intensity or altered odor quality.
  • These disorders are classified as central or peripheral based on origin.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current clinical understanding of olfactory distortions.
  • To discuss methods for evaluating smell disorders.
  • To explore therapeutic strategies for treating olfactory distortions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of clinical studies on olfactory distortions.
  • Analysis of central and peripheral causes of smell dysfunction.
  • Examination of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Main Results:

  • Olfactory distortions involve changes in smell intensity and quality.
  • Central causes include neurological conditions like epilepsy and migraine.
  • Peripheral causes relate to direct olfactory system impairment.

Conclusions:

  • Olfactory distortions are complex conditions requiring thorough evaluation.
  • Understanding the underlying mechanisms is key to effective treatment.
  • Further research is needed to refine diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.