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Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure01:03

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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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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.
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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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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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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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Author Spotlight: Assessing the Olfactory Effects of Airborne Pollutants — Buried Food and Social Odor Tests
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Smell impairment.

Terence M Davidson, Claire Murphy, Alfredo A Jalowayski

    Postgraduate Medicine
    |December 12, 2017
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    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Losing your sense of smell (olfactory impairment) significantly impacts quality of life, yet it is often overlooked in medical evaluations. This study offers primary care physicians guidance for diagnosing and managing olfactory dysfunction.

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    Area of Science:

    • Otolaryngology
    • Neurology
    • Primary Care Medicine

    Background:

    • Loss of the sense of smell, or olfactory impairment, is a significant condition impacting quality of life.
    • Despite its impact, olfactory dysfunction is frequently dismissed or not adequately investigated in clinical practice.
    • Primary care physicians require accessible information for evaluating and managing patients with smell dysfunction.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To provide primary care physicians with essential information regarding olfactory impairment.
    • To offer practical suggestions for the clinical management of patients experiencing loss of smell.
    • To outline diagnostic algorithms for evaluating olfactory dysfunction.

    Main Methods:

    • Compilation of clinical experience from a dedicated nasal dysfunction clinic.
    • Development of simplified algorithms for patient evaluation.
    • Categorization of causes into reversible and non-reversible olfactory impairments.

    Main Results:

    • Identification of various reversible and non-reversible causes contributing to olfactory impairment.
    • Provision of structured approaches for primary care physicians to evaluate patients with smell loss.
    • Emphasis on the importance of seeking and diagnosing olfactory dysfunction.

    Conclusions:

    • Olfactory impairment is a condition that warrants clinical attention and systematic evaluation.
    • Primary care physicians can effectively manage many cases of smell loss with appropriate guidance.
    • Simplified diagnostic and management strategies are crucial for addressing olfactory dysfunction in primary care settings.