Anatomy of olfaction. Lab

Olfactory epithelium 

Comprises the two olfactory organs in the nasal cavity. It contains the olfactory receptor cells. 

Lamina propria 

The connective tissue beneath the olfactory epithelium. 

Supporting cells

Columnar epithelial cells found in the olfactory epithelium between the olfactory receptor cells. 

Olfactory receptor cells 

Bipolar neurons found in the olfactory epithelium. The dendrite is enlarged into a bulb-shaped “olfactory vesicle” on the surface of the olfactory epithelium. The olfactory vesicle has cilia called “olfactory hairs” which project into the mucus on the surface of the epithelium. Odors cause depolarization on these hairs. 

Basal cells 

The cells that replace lost or damaged olfactory receptor cells at the base of the olfactory epithelium. (They are a notable exception to the rule of thumb that neurons do not replicate). 

Bowman's glands 

These are mucus glands found in the lamina propria that moisten the olfactory epithelium and dissolve odor molecules.