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Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway01:20

Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway

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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 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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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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Introduction to Special Senses01:26

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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...
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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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Poor human olfaction is a 19th-century myth.

John P McGann1

  • 1Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience, Psychology Department, Rutgers University, 152 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA. john.mcgann@rutgers.edu.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|May 13, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Contrary to popular belief, humans possess a keen sense of smell. Research shows our olfactory bulb size and neuron count are comparable to other mammals, enabling sophisticated odor detection and influencing our behavior.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Olfactory Research
  • Human Biology

Background:

  • Common belief posits humans have a poor sense of smell compared to other mammals.
  • This notion stems from a 19th-century hypothesis linking reduced olfactory bulb size to human free will.
  • Empirical evidence for this belief is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To re-evaluate the human sense of smell.
  • To challenge the historical hypothesis regarding olfactory bulb size and human evolution.
  • To present evidence of human olfactory capabilities.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of olfactory bulb size and neuron count across mammalian species.
  • Review of empirical studies on human olfactory perception and discrimination.

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  • Assessment of human olfactory sensitivity and tracking abilities.

    • Main Results:

    • The human olfactory bulb is large in absolute terms and contains a comparable number of neurons to other mammals.
    • Humans exhibit excellent olfactory abilities, detecting and discriminating a wide range of odors.
    • Human olfactory sensitivity exceeds that of rodents and dogs for certain odors; humans can track odor trails.

    Conclusions:

    • The belief in a poor human sense of smell is unsubstantiated and based on an outdated hypothesis.
    • Humans possess sophisticated olfactory capabilities, comparable to or exceeding those of other mammals in specific contexts.
    • Olfactory perception significantly influences human behavioral and affective states.