Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure01:03

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure

11.0K
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...
11.0K
Olfaction01:25

Olfaction

47.8K
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...
47.8K
Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway01:20

Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway

11.8K
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...
11.8K
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies01:27

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies

3.0K
Assessing and diagnosing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) involves a detailed approach that includes a comprehensive review of medical history, physical examination, and a variety of diagnostic tests. This thorough evaluation is essential to ensure an accurate diagnosis and guide effective management strategies.
Medical History
3.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Audiometric detection thresholds for older adults with normal and impaired hearing predict recognition of spectrally and temporally degraded speech in speech-modulated noise.

International journal of audiology·2026
Same author

Associations Between Self-Reported Workload and Measures of Speech Recognition in Adults Across the Lifespan.

American journal of audiology·2026
Same author

Characterizing the Scholarly Impact and Geographic Distribution of Rhinology Fellowship Graduates.

International forum of allergy & rhinology·2026
Same author

Assessing Hearing-Related Quality of Life in Adults With Hearing Loss: Validation of the German Cochlear Implant Quality of Life (CIQOL)-35 Profile.

Trends in hearing·2026
Same author

Metastatic HPV-Related Multiphenotypic Sinonasal Carcinoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Journal of neurological surgery reports·2026
Same author

Short Forms and Computerized Adaptive Tests With Monosyllabic Words Can Efficiently Measure Speech Recognition.

American journal of audiology·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 23, 2025

A Free-breathing fMRI Method to Study Human Olfactory Function
10:42

A Free-breathing fMRI Method to Study Human Olfactory Function

Published on: July 30, 2017

10.0K

A Community-Based Study on the Prevalence of Olfactory Dysfunction.

Rodney J Schlosser1,2, Vincent M Desiato1, Kristina A Storck1

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.

American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy
|April 30, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Olfactory dysfunction (OD) affects over half of healthy adults, with smell identification declining with age. Factors like asthma and GERD also impact olfactory function, highlighting the need for comprehensive smell assessments.

Keywords:
anosmiadysosmiahyposmiaolfactionsmell

More Related Videos

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

Olfactory Context Dependent Memory: Direct Presentation of Odorants

Published on: September 18, 2018

7.0K
Olfactory Assays for Mouse Models of Neurodegenerative Disease
07:27

Olfactory Assays for Mouse Models of Neurodegenerative Disease

Published on: August 25, 2014

22.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 23, 2025

A Free-breathing fMRI Method to Study Human Olfactory Function
10:42

A Free-breathing fMRI Method to Study Human Olfactory Function

Published on: July 30, 2017

10.0K
Olfactory Context Dependent Memory: Direct Presentation of Odorants
04:47

Olfactory Context Dependent Memory: Direct Presentation of Odorants

Published on: September 18, 2018

7.0K
Olfactory Assays for Mouse Models of Neurodegenerative Disease
07:27

Olfactory Assays for Mouse Models of Neurodegenerative Disease

Published on: August 25, 2014

22.5K

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Neuroscience
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Olfactory dysfunction (OD) is prevalent, potentially underestimated in prior studies using age-adjusted norms.
  • An estimated 13 million US adults are affected by OD.
  • Current diagnostic approaches may not reflect ideal olfactory function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Determine OD prevalence in a healthy community setting with a focus on ideal olfactory function.
  • Investigate factors associated with olfactory dysfunction.
  • Establish normative data for olfactory function beyond age-based expectations.

Main Methods:

  • Community-based recruitment of subjects without otolaryngic complaints.
  • Olfactory function assessment using the Sniffin' Sticks test (threshold, discrimination, identification - TDI).
  • Statistical analysis including bivariate analysis and multivariate linear regression to identify associated factors.

Main Results:

  • Olfactory dysfunction (TDI < 31) was present in 53% of 176 healthy subjects (mean age 52).
  • TDI scores decreased with age (1 point per 5 years) and were associated with Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) scores, asthma, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
  • Specific olfactory subtests (threshold, discrimination, identification) were differentially associated with age, MMSE, GERD, heart problems, and anxiety.

Conclusions:

  • Over half of the healthy community sample exhibited olfactory dysfunction.
  • Aging significantly impacts all facets of olfaction.
  • Conditions like asthma, GERD, heart problems, and anxiety may affect specific olfactory subtests, warranting further investigation.