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Related Concept Videos

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure01:03

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure

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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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Olfaction01:25

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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.
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
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Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway01:20

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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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 7, 2026

Transplantation of Olfactory Ensheathing Cells to Evaluate Functional Recovery after Peripheral Nerve Injury
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Olfactory Implants to Restore Smell: Where to Stimulate?

Zachary Whong1, Richard M Costanzo1, Daniel H Coelho1

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA.

Clinical Otolaryngology : Official Journal of ENT-UK ; Official Journal of Netherlands Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology & Cervico-Facial Surgery
|January 2, 2026
PubMed
Summary

The olfactory bulb is the most promising target for electrical stimulation via olfactory implants to restore the sense of smell. Research indicates its suitability for developing new smell restoration technologies.

Keywords:
anosmiacentral olfactory networkelectrical stimulationolfactory bulbolfactory dysfunctionolfactory epitheliumolfactory implants

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Otolaryngology

Background:

  • Restoring the sense of smell (olfaction) is a significant challenge in treating smell dysfunction.
  • Electrical stimulation of the olfactory system is a potential therapeutic approach for olfactory implants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the viability of different anatomical targets within the olfactory system for electrical stimulation by an olfactory implant.
  • To identify the most suitable target for restoring smell.

Main Methods:

  • A narrative review of existing research on olfactory implant development.
  • Emphasis on stimulation feasibility and elicitation of olfactory percepts.
  • Evaluation of surgical accessibility, functional specificity, and interindividual variability.

Main Results:

  • The olfactory epithelium is accessible but limited by degeneration and variability.
  • The olfactory bulb shows promise with spatially specific percepts in animal models and early human studies.
  • Central olfactory system stimulation yields non-specific percepts; non-invasive methods are experimental.

Conclusions:

  • The olfactory bulb is the most viable target for olfactory implant development.
  • Its role in early olfactory processing and emerging surgical approaches support its candidacy.
  • Further development is needed to restore olfactory percepts effectively.