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Related Concept Videos

Olfaction01:25

Olfaction

40.5K
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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Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure01:03

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure

10.5K
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...
10.5K
Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway01:20

Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway

13.1K
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...
13.1K

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 2, 2026

Multi-unit Recording Methods to Characterize Neural Activity in the Locust Schistocerca Americana Olfactory Circuits
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Olfactory source localization in the open field using one or both nostrils.

A Welge-Lussen, G L Looser, B Westermann

    Rhinology
    |March 13, 2014
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Humans can localize odors in open spaces, especially in near-field conditions. Using two nostrils improves odor localization accuracy for selective odorants, contrary to common belief.

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    Area of Science:

    • Olfactory perception
    • Spatial orientation

    Background:

    • Human olfactory capabilities are crucial for environmental interaction.
    • Understanding odor localization is key to sensory research.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate human ability to pinpoint odor sources in an open environment.
    • To assess the impact of odorant properties and nostril usage on localization accuracy.

    Main Methods:

    • Participants localized odorants (2-phenylethyl-alcohol and cineol) at near (0.4m) and far (2m) distances.
    • Localization was tested with one or two nostrils open.

    Main Results:

    • Near-field localization accuracy was high (72-80%) regardless of odorant or nostril condition.
    • Two nostrils improved localization for a selective odorant (PEA) but not for a trigeminal odorant (cineol).
    • Localization accuracy was better in near-field than far-field conditions.

    Conclusions:

    • Odor localization in open fields is challenging but achievable.
    • Humans can utilize a two-nostril advantage for odor localization, particularly in more demanding tasks.