olfactory nerves
Nasal sensory pathways
The olfactory nerves are the pair of cranial nerves that transmit the sense of smell from the nose to the brain.
They're the shortest cranial nerves, running directly from receptors in the nasal cavity to the olfactory bulb.
Unlike most nerves, olfactory nerve cells regenerate throughout life.
Olfactory perception
- detectionAct of finding something
- perceptionMental interpretation of stimuli
- recognitionPerceiving something as known
- identificationEstablishing who someone is
discrimination · sensitivity · adaptation · threshold · acuity · chemoreception · odorant · volatile
Perforated ethmoid bone section
- nasal cavityAir channel in nose
- mucosaMoist organ lining
- axonNeuron's signal-sending projection
- dendriteNeuron's input branch
synapse · glomeruli · limbic system · amygdala · hippocampus · entorhinal cortex
Total olfactory loss
- head traumaInjury to the skull
- viral infectionDisease caused by microbes
- COVID-19WHO-named 2019 coronavirus
- neurodegenerationProgressive loss of neurons
Parkinson's · Alzheimer's · recovery · damage · inflammation · polyps · tumors
Signal-receiving molecule
- transductionSignal or energy transformation
- action potentialNeuron's rapid electrical discharge
- signalMessage-conveying cue
- neurogenesisNew nerve cell formation
neuroplasticity · depolarization · chemosensory · sensory processing · anosmia
smell
Olfactory perception
- detectionAct of finding something
- perceptionMental interpretation of stimuli
- recognitionPerceiving something as known
identification · discrimination · sensitivity · adaptation · threshold · acuity · chemoreception · odorant · volatile · sniff
cribriform plate
Perforated ethmoid bone section
- nasal cavityAir channel in nose
- mucosaMoist organ lining
- axonNeuron's signal-sending projection
dendrite · synapse · glomeruli · limbic system · amygdala · hippocampus · entorhinal cortex
anosmia
Total olfactory loss
- head traumaInjury to the skull
- viral infectionDisease caused by microbes
- COVID-19WHO-named 2019 coronavirus
neurodegeneration · Parkinson's · Alzheimer's · recovery · damage · inflammation · polyps · tumors
receptor
Signal-receiving molecule
- transductionSignal or energy transformation
- action potentialNeuron's rapid electrical discharge
- signalMessage-conveying cue
neurogenesis · neuroplasticity · depolarization · chemosensory · sensory processing · anosmia