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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.
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...
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.
Tactile and Chemical Senses01:27

Tactile and Chemical Senses

Tactile senses encompass touch, temperature, and pain, each mediated by specific receptors. Touch receptors detect mechanical energy or pressure against the skin. Sensory fibers from these receptors enter the spinal cord and relay information to the brain stem. Here, most fibers cross over to the opposite side of the brain. The touch information then moves to the thalamus, which projects a map of the body's surface onto the somatosensory areas of the parietal lobes in the cerebral cortex. This...
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,...

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Updated: May 9, 2026

Olfactory Context Dependent Memory: Direct Presentation of Odorants
04:47

Olfactory Context Dependent Memory: Direct Presentation of Odorants

Published on: September 18, 2018

A world without the olfactory dimension.

Marta Tafalla1

  • 1Philosophy Department, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Campus de Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallés, Barcelona, E-08193, Spain. Marta.Tafalla@uab.es

Anatomical Record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)
|August 3, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Congenital anosmia, the lifelong absence of smell, shapes reality perception. This philosophical exploration compares subjective experiences of those without smell to those with it, highlighting key differences in daily life.

Keywords:
aesthetic appreciationanosmiaenvironment perceptionnourishmentolfactionperceptionstenchtime perception

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Last Updated: May 9, 2026

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience and Philosophy of Perception
  • Sensory Science
  • Qualitative Research Methods

Background:

  • Congenital anosmia presents unique challenges in describing subjective reality due to the lifelong absence of olfactory input.
  • Understanding the lived experience of anosmia requires exploring how individuals perceive the world without a sense of smell.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the subjective experience of perceiving reality with congenital anosmia.
  • To compare the experiences of individuals with congenital anosmia, acquired anosmia, and a typical sense of smell.
  • To identify key differences in perception and daily life consequences.

Main Methods:

  • Qualitative, philosophical-literary exercise involving in-depth conversations.
  • Comparative analysis of personal narratives from individuals with varying olfactory experiences.
  • Exploration of subjective experiences rather than quantitative data collection.

Main Results:

  • Individuals with congenital anosmia perceive reality without an olfactory dimension, finding it their natural state.
  • Anosmia impacts various life aspects, including nourishment, social interactions, body awareness, environmental perception, time, and aesthetics.
  • Awareness of others' sense of smell can be a pivotal moment in understanding one's own olfactory absence.

Conclusions:

  • Subjective experiences of anosmia offer insights into the human perception of reality.
  • Further scientific investigation is needed to explore the implications of olfactory absence.
  • This qualitative study serves as a foundation for formulating future scientific questions on anosmia.