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Related Concept Videos

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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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 respiratory system's basic structures and primary functions lay the foundation for nurses' comprehensive respiratory assessments. This assessment includes subjective and objective data to gauge the patient's respiratory health.
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Related Experiment Video

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Olfactory Assays for Mouse Models of Neurodegenerative Disease
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Clinical assessment of olfactory function.

Thomas Hummel1, Dino Podlesek2

  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Smell & Taste Clinic, "Technische Universität Dresden", Dresden, Germany.

Chemical Senses
|December 23, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Functional anosmia affects 5% of people, with 15% experiencing reduced smell. Objective olfactory measurements are crucial for diagnosis and tracking smell function changes over time.

Keywords:
gustationnormative dataolfactionorthonasal and retronasal olfactory functionsmelltaste

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Sensory Science
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Functional anosmia impacts 5% of the population, with an additional 15% experiencing diminished olfactory function.
  • Subjective self-assessments of smell are unreliable, highlighting the need for objective evaluation.
  • Olfactory dysfunction significantly affects quality of life, necessitating accurate assessment methods.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review commonly employed psychophysical tests for assessing olfactory function.
  • To differentiate between threshold and suprathreshold aspects of smell perception.
  • To provide practical examples for applying these psychophysical tests in clinical and research settings.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on psychophysical olfactory tests.
  • Analysis of the distinction between olfactory detection thresholds and suprathreshold perception.
  • Illustrative case examples demonstrating test application.

Main Results:

  • Psychophysical tests offer objective measures of olfactory function, overcoming subjective biases.
  • Understanding both threshold (detection) and suprathreshold (intensity, identification) aspects provides a comprehensive olfactory profile.
  • Standardized application of these tests aids in accurate diagnosis and monitoring.

Conclusions:

  • Objective psychophysical olfactory testing is essential for individuals with smell dysfunction.
  • These methods are vital for accurate patient counseling and tracking olfactory changes.
  • The review provides a framework for utilizing psychophysical tests to better understand and manage olfactory disorders.