In each nostril, human beings have 6 to 10 million olfactory sensory neurons distributed along a surface area of 2.5 cm^2. This specialized epithelium contains the cell bodies of bipolar olfactory neurons from which the olfactory nerve fibers originate and extend apically. The olfactory epithelium is specialized epithelial tissue covering the septum, the upper portion of the superior turbinate and the lateral surface of the posterosuperior portions of both nasal cavities. Īrchitecturally, the nose is designed in a way to facilitate the movement of inspired air toward the olfactory epithelium. The primary olfactory cortex interacts with a variety of cortical and limbic structures via sophisticated pathways that allow the smell to become integrated with memory, emotions, and taste. From the olfactory bulbs, olfactory information reaches the primary olfactory cortex via the olfactory tract. ![]() Olfactory neurons give off projections apically towards the outside world and basally towards the olfactory bulb, the central hub, and coordinator of olfactory transmission. The olfactory nerves originate from the cell bodies of bipolar olfactory neurons in the olfactory epithelium, a specialized epithelial tissue found in the posterosuperior portion of each nasal cavity. ![]() The olfactory nerve is not myelinated by Schwann cells but rather is ensheathed by olfactory ensheathing glia. ![]() The olfactory nerve is the shortest cranial nerve, and along with the optic nerve is one of the only two cranial nerves that do not converge with the brainstem. Embryologically, the olfactory nerve is a derivative of the forebrain and is therefore considered a component of the central nervous system. The olfactory nerve contains only afferent sensory nerve fibers and, like all cranial nerves, is paired. The olfactory nerve is the first cranial nerve and is instrumental in our sense of smell.
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