olfactory nerve
Nasal sensory pathway
The olfactory nerve is the first cranial nerve, carrying sensory information about smell from the nose to the brain.
Unlike most nerves, olfactory nerve fibers connect almost directly to the brain, which may explain why smells trigger memories so powerfully.
Damage to the olfactory nerve can cause complete loss of smell.
Total olfactory loss
- nasal polypsBenign sinus tissue masses
- rhinitisInflamed nasal membrane
- sinusitisInflamed nasal cavities
- congestionExcessive accumulation causing blockage
deviated septum · head trauma · viral infection · Parkinson's disease · Alzheimer's disease
Pleasant distinctive smell
- fragrancePleasing olfactory quality
- pungentSharply strong-smelling
- muskyHaving animal-derived odor
- floralOf or like blooms
citrus · earthy · sniff · whiff · smell blindness · malodor · bouquet · essence
Air channel in nose
- cribriform platePerforated ethmoid bone section
- nostrilsBreathing holes in face
- nasal passagesAirways inside the nose
- sinusesAir-filled skull cavities
septum · turbinates · mucosa · limbic system
Cells transmitting stimuli inward
- axonsNeuron output extensions
- dendritesNeuron's signal-receiving projections
- glomeruliNephron filtration structures
- neurotransmittersChemical neural messengers
synapses · unmyelinated · neural pathway · action potential · chemoreception · neurogenesis
Informal authenticity gauge
- neurological examClinical nervous system evaluation
- MRIMagnetic body imaging
- CT scanTomographic diagnostic imaging
- endoscopyInternal organ examination
biopsy · ENT specialist · neurologist · diagnosis · prognosis · rehabilitation
anosmia
Total olfactory loss
- nasal polypsBenign sinus tissue masses
- rhinitisInflamed nasal membrane
- sinusitisInflamed nasal cavities
congestion · deviated septum · head trauma · viral infection · Parkinson's disease · Alzheimer's disease
aroma
Pleasant distinctive smell
floral · citrus · earthy · sniff · whiff · smell blindness · malodor · bouquet · essence
nasal cavity
Air channel in nose
- cribriform platePerforated ethmoid bone section
- nostrilsBreathing holes in face
- nasal passagesAirways inside the nose
sinuses · septum · turbinates · mucosa · limbic system
sensory neurons
Cells transmitting stimuli inward
- axonsNeuron output extensions
- dendritesNeuron's signal-receiving projections
- glomeruliNephron filtration structures
neurotransmitters · synapses · unmyelinated · neural pathway · action potential · chemoreception · neurogenesis
smell test
Informal authenticity gauge
- neurological examClinical nervous system evaluation
- MRIMagnetic body imaging
- CT scanTomographic diagnostic imaging
endoscopy · biopsy · ENT specialist · neurologist · diagnosis · prognosis · rehabilitation
- Nosenose, nostril, nostrils, nares, nasal
- taste and smelltaste, smell, flavor, gustation, sweet
- nervous systembrain, neurons, nerves, spinal cord, axon
- nervesperipheral nerves, cranial nerves, spinal nerves, sensory nerves, motor nerves
- cranial nerves
- nasal anatomynasal cavity, nasal septum, nostril, nostrils, nasal passage
olfactory nerveoptic nerve
Retina-brain neural connection
auditory nerve · visual system · vision · auditory system · hearing
olfactory nervemotor nerve
Neuron controlling muscle action
hypoglossal nerve · motor nerves · facial nerve · vagus nerve