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

10.6K
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...
10.6K
Olfaction01:25

Olfaction

47.2K
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...
47.2K
Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway01:20

Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway

11.2K
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...
11.2K
COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features01:20

COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features

1.6K
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of lung conditions that progressively worsen over time, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. This cluster of diseases collectively leads to a gradual and irreversible decline in lung function over time.
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
1.6K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

What Is the Role of Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in Contemporary Sleep Surgery?

The Laryngoscope·2026
Same author

Barriers to Care for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Primary Care Perspectives at a Safety Net Hospital.

Laryngoscope investigative otolaryngology·2026
Same author

Longitudinal SNOT-22 Symptom Changes With Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT).

The Laryngoscope·2026
Same author

Prognostic value of postoperative day 1 prolactin following prolactinoma resection.

Journal of neurosurgery·2026
Same author

Location Matters for Proximal Hilar Submandibular Stone Removal: Position Relative to the Mylohyoid.

The Laryngoscope·2026
Same author

Insomnia as a Clinical Predictor of Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation Settings and Treatment Success.

The Laryngoscope·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 25, 2025

Author Spotlight: Assessing the Olfactory Effects of Airborne Pollutants — Buried Food and Social Odor Tests
04:00

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

Published on: September 13, 2024

1.2K

Temporal Profile of Olfactory Dysfunction in COVID-19.

Patricia A Loftus1, Lauren T Roland1, Jose G Gurrola1

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.

OTO Open
|December 17, 2020
PubMed
Summary

COVID-19 patients experienced significant smell loss and dynamic changes in smell sensitivity. Recovery of overall health correlated with improved smell, highlighting olfactory dysfunction

Keywords:
COVID-19olfactionrecoverysmell

More Related Videos

High-Speed Human Temporal Bone Sectioning for the Assessment of COVID-19-Associated Middle Ear Pathology
03:42

High-Speed Human Temporal Bone Sectioning for the Assessment of COVID-19-Associated Middle Ear Pathology

Published on: May 18, 2022

2.5K
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

9.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Nov 25, 2025

Author Spotlight: Assessing the Olfactory Effects of Airborne Pollutants — Buried Food and Social Odor Tests
04:00

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

Published on: September 13, 2024

1.2K
High-Speed Human Temporal Bone Sectioning for the Assessment of COVID-19-Associated Middle Ear Pathology
03:42

High-Speed Human Temporal Bone Sectioning for the Assessment of COVID-19-Associated Middle Ear Pathology

Published on: May 18, 2022

2.5K
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

9.9K

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Otolaryngology

Background:

  • Olfactory dysfunction is a known symptom of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
  • The progression and recovery timeline of smell loss in COVID-19 patients remain largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the changes in smell sensitivity among COVID-19-positive (COVID+) and COVID-19-negative (COVID-) individuals during the initial weeks post-infection.
  • To compare the olfactory dysfunction evolution between COVID+ and COVID- viral illness cohorts.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional cohort comparison was employed.
  • National anonymous surveys were utilized to collect data.
  • Participants reported on smell sensitivity and general health status at the time of COVID-19 testing and during subsequent weeks.

Main Results:

  • COVID+ participants showed reduced normal smell frequency at testing and follow-up compared to COVID- participants (P < .05).
  • Dynamic smell sensitivity changes were more frequent in the COVID+ cohort within the initial weeks (P < .001).
  • 38% of COVID+ individuals with normal smell initially reported worsening smell, versus 8% in the COVID- cohort (P < .05).

Conclusions:

  • The COVID+ cohort exhibited greater olfactory dysfunction dynamics and persistent smell loss in the weeks following infection.
  • Initial normal smell in COVID-19 patients can precede worsening before recovery.
  • Improved smell sensitivity and absence of initial smell impairment are linked to overall health recovery post-viral illness.