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Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway

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...

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...

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 25, 2026

An Objective and Reproducible Test of Olfactory Learning and Discrimination in Mice

An Objective and Reproducible Test of Olfactory Learning and Discrimination in Mice

Published on: March 22, 2018

Olfactory Cued Learning Paradigm.

Gary Liu^1,2, Cynthia K McClard^2,3, Burak Tepe¹

¹Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA.

|July 29, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Sensory stimulation drives brain plasticity for learning and memory. This study details a new olfactory learning paradigm to investigate how the brain changes with experience, using reward and punishment cues.

Keywords:

Behavior Circuit Go/No-Go Learning Olfactory Plasticity Synaptic

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Last Updated: Feb 25, 2026

An Objective and Reproducible Test of Olfactory Learning and Discrimination in Mice

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Published on: March 22, 2018

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A Lateralized Odor Learning Model in Neonatal Rats for Dissecting Neural Circuitry Underpinning Memory Formation

A Lateralized Odor Learning Model in Neonatal Rats for Dissecting Neural Circuitry Underpinning Memory Formation

Published on: August 18, 2014

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Olfactory system research
Learning and memory mechanisms

Background:

Structural changes in the Central Nervous System (CNS) are the basis for learning and memory.
The olfactory circuit is a key model for studying experience-dependent plasticity.
Adult-born neurons continuously integrate into the olfactory circuit, offering unique research opportunities.

Purpose of the Study:

To detail a novel olfactory cued learning paradigm.
To investigate downstream circuit changes resulting from olfactory learning.
To provide a protocol for setting up equipment, programming software, and behavioral training.

Main Methods:

Implementation of an olfactory cued learning paradigm.
Pairing specific odor stimuli with reward or punishment.
Description of equipment setup, software programming, and behavioral training methods.

Main Results:

The study outlines the foundational setup for an olfactory learning paradigm.
The protocol facilitates the study of experience-dependent plasticity in the olfactory circuit.
This work enables the investigation of neural circuit modifications following associative learning.

Conclusions:

The described olfactory learning paradigm provides a robust model for studying experience-dependent plasticity.
This protocol serves as a guide for researchers investigating learning and memory in the olfactory system.
Understanding these neural changes is fundamental to deciphering learning and memory processes.