GROSS ANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -The olfactory epithelium contains special receptors that are sensitive to odor molecules that travel through the air. These receptors are very small-there are about 10 million of them in your nose! There are hundreds of different odor receptors, each with the ability to sense certain odor molecules.

Detailed explanation-2: -Olfactory receptors (ORs), also known as odorant receptors, are chemoreceptors expressed in the cell membranes of olfactory receptor neurons and are responsible for the detection of odorants (for example, compounds that have an odor) which give rise to the sense of smell.

Detailed explanation-3: -The olfactory epithelium is a type of pseudostratified columnar epithelium involved in sensing smell. It lines the olfactory cleft of the nasal cavity and forms one of the major components of the olfactory mucosa, with the other being the lamina propria.

Detailed explanation-4: -Olfactory neurons are bipolar neurons (neurons with two processes from the cell body). Each neuron has a single dendrite buried in the olfactory epithelium, and extending from this dendrite are 5 to 20 receptor-laden, hair-like cilia that trap odorant molecules.

Detailed explanation-5: -After odorant molecules bind to receptors, the receptor cells send electrical signals to the olfactory bulb in the brain. The brain combines information from several types of receptors in specific patterns, which are experienced as distinct odours.