Anatomy Bones and Muscles · MU Pleven

184. Organ of olfaction. Olfactory pathway.

Covers the olfactory organ in the upper nasal cavity and the olfactory nerve, the first cranial nerve, which arises from the olfactory epithelium rather than the brainstem. Describes the epithelium's receptor neurons, supporting cells and basal cells, plus Bowman's glands, then traces the signal through the cribriform plate to the olfactory bulb, glomeruli and tract. Ends with the lateral and medial olfactory stria and their cortical, amygdaloid, hypothalamic and contralateral connections.

Inside: 3 sections · 3 labelled pictures · 20 flashcards · 2 min

Topic 183 of 236 in the MU Pleven syllabus for Anatomy Bones and Muscles (Medicine, Year 2). The free AceMed note covers it in 3 sections, about 348 words (2 min of reading), with 20 flashcards.

In this note

  1. OLFACTORY
  2. Structure:
  3. Olfactory Sensory system:

OLFACTORY

  • The olfactory organ ,responsible for our sense of smell, is located in the upper part of the nasal cavity

dissolved odor molecules

  • The olfactory n. is the first cranial nerve (CNI)
  • It is unique among the cranial nerves, bec. it originates directly from the olfactory epithelium in the nasal cavity, not from the brainstem.

bundle of axons

Structure:

  1. 1. Olfactory Epithelium :located in the upper part of the nasal cavity
  • Specialized tissue that contains the primary cells involved in detecting odors :
  1. 1.1 Olfactory Receptor Neurons (ORNs) :
  • Bipolar receptors with hair-like extensions called olfactory cilia: (immotile)
  • Responsible for detecting & transmitting smell signals to the brain.
  1. 2.1 Supporting cells :
  • Surround & provide structural support to the ORNs.
  1. 3.1 Basal cells : (stem cells)
  • Can differentiate into new olfactory receptor neurons, contributing to the regeneration of the olfactory epithelium.
  1. 2. Bowman's Glands (Olfactory glands):
  • found in the Olfactory epithelium
  • Secrete mucus that helps dissolve & trap odor molecules, facilitating their interaction with olfactory receptors.
  1. 3. Olfactory Bulb:
  • A bulbous structure located at the base of the brain.

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