Olfaction and Otorhinolaryngology Quiz

Olfaction and Related Terms

• Otorhinolaryngology: Medical field focusing on the ears, nose, and throat, along with their disorders.
• Olfaction: The sensory system responsible for the sense of smell.

Olfactory Structure and Function

• Olfactory Epithelium: Located in the upper nasal cavity, contains three types of cells that support olfactory functions.
• Olfactory Receptors: First-order neurons responsible for detecting odorants; react to odorant molecules by generating electrical signals.
• Olfactory Hairs: Cilia projecting from olfactory receptors, crucial for responding to inhaled odorants.
• Odorants: Chemicals with odor that stimulate olfactory receptors, enabling the sense of smell.

Olfactory Bulb and Nerve Pathway

• Olfactory Bulb: Large structure where axons of olfactory receptors converge; serves as a processing center for smell.
• Olfactory Tract: Formed by axons extending from the olfactory bulb, transmitting sensory information to the brain.

Supporting and Stem Cells

• Supporting Cells: Columnar epithelial cells that provide nourishment, physical support, and detoxification for olfactory receptors.
• Basal Cells: Stem cells that continually generate new olfactory receptors, which have a limited lifespan of about a month.

Mucosal and Adaptation Functions

• Olfactory Glands: Produce mucus to moisten the olfactory epithelium and dissolve odorants for better detection.
• Adaptation: A rapid decrease in sensitivity to persistent odors, allowing for more effective smell discrimination over time.

Brain Connectivities and Responses

• Primary Olfactory Area: Located in the temporal lobe, where the conscious perception of smell occurs.
• Limbic System and Hypothalamus Connections: Axons connecting to these areas are responsible for emotional and memory responses related to smell.

Sensory Disorders

• Hyposmia: Reduced smell sensitivity affecting many individuals over age 65, linked to neurological conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.